The fatal limousine crash that made headlines throughout Wisconsin and the rest of America had been previously cited for brake failures. Among the infractions the vehicle had been cited for were constricted under-vehicle brake connections and out of service brakes. These citations occurred in March, months before the Oct. 6 accident in upstate New York that killed 20 people.

The limo crash resulted in the deaths of two pedestrians, the driver of the limo and all 17 passengers. New York’s Department of Transportation, which had issued the March citations for brake defects, noted in a subsequent, September inspection that the defects had not yet been corrected.

The State police and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the circumstances of the accident along with other authorities. According to the chairman of the NTSB, the crash represents the deadliest transport accident in the country since 2009.

According to statements by family members of the victims, the limo was carrying the group to a brewery for a party and it ran through a stop sign at a high rate of speed before colliding with a parked vehicle. The driver of the limo was 53 years old, the two pedestrians were 70 and 46 years old and the group of 17 in the limo ranged from 24 to 34 years old.

Following a fatal motor vehicle accident, the deceased’s family may have valid claims for wrongful death. In wrongful death cases in Wisconsin, the victims’ families might be entitled to recover for loss of income, funeral costs, pain and suffering, loss of benefits or other damages. A personal injury attorney could assist by identifying the liable parties.