Nauman Hussain: Limousine driver found guilty of manslaughter in Schoharie crash that killed 20

The judge ruled to quash the plea deal during the trial, sparing Nauman Hussain a prison sentence

UPDATED MAY 17, 2023

Nauman Hussain earlier entered a plea deal to avoid jail term (New York State Police)

SCHOHARIE COUNTY, NEW YORK: Nauman Hussain, the driver of a limousine that crashed into another vehicle, resulting in the tragic death of 20 people, has been found guilty. In 2021, he pleaded guilty to the second-degree charge of 20 counts of criminally negligent homicide. However, the judge ruled to quash the plea deal during the trial, sparing him a prison sentence. The limousine company had rented the stretch Ford Excursion SUV to a group celebrating a 30th birthday on October 6, 2018.

On a downhill stretch of road, the vehicle went through an intersection and collided with a parked Toyota Highlander in Schoharie. Tragically, all 17 passengers, including the driver, as well as two pedestrians, lost their lives in the crash. Robert Sumwalt, the chief of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), said at the time, "At this point, we're uncertain if all seating positions were equipped with seatbelts."

Nauman Hussain: Limo business owner to go on trial as car crash killed 20 people after brakes failed

'Extensive damage done to the front of the car'

Sumwalt said they were unsure if anyone in the vehicle wore seatbelts, adding that there was "extensive damage done to the front of the car" and indications of a high-energy impact. According to the NTSB, Prestige Limousine knowingly operated a vehicle in poor mechanical condition on the day of the crash, and its maintenance program was deemed ineffective in ensuring passenger safety.

Prestige Limousine expressed its condolences

Following the tragic crash in 2018, Prestige Limousine expressed its condolences and stated they were conducting an internal investigation to determine the cause and prevent future accidents. The company's representatives have also met with state and federal investigators. The defense team filed a motion seeking to dismiss the charges against Hussain, but the judge rejected it, stating that there was sufficient evidence to support the second-degree manslaughter counts, reported WTEN.