Update On Limousine Crash That Killed 20 In America, Including Newly Wed Couple

The limousine involved in what has been described as the deadliest accident in the United States for nearly a decade, had failed inspection and the driver was not properly licensed, a top official said Monday.

Twenty people were killed when the SUV-style stretch vehicle careened out of control on Saturday in Schoharie, a town in New York state, killing all 18 occupants and two pedestrians.

The passengers of the limo — including four sisters, newlyweds and young couples — were all celebrating a birthday party, according to US media.

The driver lacked the appropriate license to operate that vehicle and the limousine last month failed a state inspection and was not supposed to be on the road, Governor Andrew Cuomo said.

He said a federal government and state police investigation are ongoing, and the cause of the accident remains unclear.

But the company that operated the limo has been served a cease and desist order until the investigation is concluded, Cuomo added.

“The owner of the company had no business putting a failed vehicle on the road,” the governor said.

Police said the 2001 Ford Excursion failed to stop at an intersection and continued into a parking lot, ultimately crashing into a parked car.