Photos of those killed in limo crash on Oct. 6, 2018.Photo: Courtesy Justin Cushing
It’s been one year since a group offriends died in a horrific limousine crashduring a 30th birthday party in the rural town of Schoharie in upstate New York. Now, the families of those killed are still struggling to pick up the pieces in the wake of the nation’sdeadliest road transportation incidentin 14 years.
“It’s been a tough year. When you’re grieving, you look for opportunities to get your mind off of what you lost and do some things you enjoy,” Justin Cushing tells PEOPLE. “But a lot of those things just remind you of those you lost. You remember how much better they were with those people. It definitely has been difficult.”
Justin’s brother, Patrick Cushing, his best friend, Adam Jackson, andcousin Erin McGowanwere among the 17 passengers inside the limo who were killed in the crash on Oct. 6 last year. Driver Scott Lisinicchia also died.
Amanda Halse/Facebook
Along with Patrick, Adam, Amy, and Erin, the victims include:Amanda Halse (Patrick’s girlfriend), Axel Steenburg (Amy’s husband), Rich Steenburg (Axel’s brother),Abigail Jackson (Adam’s wife), Allison King, Mary and Rob Dyson, Shane McGowan (Erin’s husband), Matthew Coons, Savannah Bursese, Amanda Rivenburg, Brian Hough, James Schnurr, Michael Ukaj, Rachael Cavosie, and Lisinicchia (the driver).
“I got married [on Sept.] 29, so there was some joy. But my brother was supposed to be my best man. Adam was supposed to be in my wedding. There was some sadness there,” Justin tells PEOPLE.
Hans Pennink/AP/Shutterstock
Amy, Abigail, Mary, and Allison were sisters.
“It’s a bit overwhelming at times. We have a large community now of people who have lost someone close to them,” Justin continues. “Though I’m going through it, I don’t even know exactly what to say to some of the other parents, brothers, sisters, cousins, friends, that have lost people. You know how emotional it can be.”
Amy and Axel reportedly rented the limo for Amy’s 30th birthday. They had just tied the knot on June 30 in Saratoga, New York, according to theirThe Knot page.
Before the limo crash, the deadliest road accident in the country was in 2005. Twenty-three people died during Hurricane Rita when a bus carrying nursing home residents exploded on a packed highway in Texas,USA Todayreported.
The National Transportation Safety Board said a final report identifying the probable cause of the limo crash is still to come. However,a recent reportfrom the NTSB states that the passengers may have had a greater chance at survival had their vehicle’s seatbelts been more easily accessible.
The report, released Wednesday, found that the modified 2001 Ford Excursion received severe damage to its front end, but rear portions, where many of the passengers were seated, stayed relatively intact, with enough “space for the occupants to survive.”
“Evidence from first responders and post-crash examinations of victims indicated that none of the passengers were wearing the passenger lap or lap/shoulder belts at the time of the crash,” the report read.
Since the accident, Patrick and Justin’s father, Kevin Cushing, has advocated for limo safety, Justin tells PEOPLE.
On Thursday, Kevin spoke alongside New York Sen. Chuck Schumer and other politicians as they introduced the Safety, Accountability and Federal Enforcement of Limos Act of 2019, the Take Unsafe Limos Off the Road Act, and the End the Limo Loophole Act to prevent similar tragedies,according toThe Leader-Herald.
Nauman Hussain, the operator of Prestige Limo, which rented out the limo that crashed, wasindicted in Aprilon 20 felony counts of second-degree manslaughter and 20 felony counts of criminally negligent homicide. Hussain has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is scheduled for next year, according to theAssociated Press.
Shane McGowan Facebook
After the tragedy, the families spoke out about their loved ones, remembering the group in emotional interviews. Amanda’s sister, Karina Halse,told PEOPLE at the timethat the family was “devastated” over the loss.
“I feel a sense of strength when I talk about my sister so I believe she is helping me through this but overall I feel empty, devastated, and just sad,” Karina said.
Amy Steenburg Facebook
Justin says his sister and parents have had a “difficult” year following Patrick’s death. His current grief echoes that of his devastation a year ago.
“I lost my two best friends in this, in my brother and Adam. I lost my cousin in Erin [McGowan],” he told PEOPLE at the time. “This was all so hard to write and I’m shaking knowing I’m missing something important to his life.”
On Saturday, a memorial for the victims was unveiled, according to theAP. Family members and first responders had a private viewing at the memorial of 20 stones in a semicircle with each stone featuring a plaque bearing the name of the person killed.
source: people.com
