ABC News October 9, 2018

A 34-year-old dad, a professor and young newlyweds among the 20 killed in limo crash

WATCH: New details on limo crash that killed 20
By Julia Jacobo

A 34-year-old dad, a college professor and young newlyweds were among the 20 killed in a limo crash in upstate New York.

Authorities have released the identities of the 20 victims of Sunday's accident, including the 17 limousine passengers who all died, the driver and two pedestrians.

The limousine was carrying the 17 passengers to a birthday party when it crashed into a parked Toyota Highlander in Schoharie, a town about 40 miles away from Albany. The SUV then struck two pedestrians nearby.

Peter R. Barber/The Daily Gazette of Schenectady, N.Y.
The scene of a deadly limousine crash in Schoharie, N.Y., Oct. 6, 2018.

The two pedestrians who died were identified by New York State Police as 46-year-old Brian Hough of Moravia, New York, and 70-year-old James Schnurr of Kerhonkson, New York.

Jim Russell/SUNY Oswego via AP
This is a Sept. 21, 2016 photo provided by SUNY Oswego shows Brian Hough, an assistant professor of geology at the State University of New York at Oswego. Hough was one of 20 people killed in the limousine crash Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Schoharie, N.Y.

Hough was an assistant professor of geology at the State University of New York in Oswego, his biography shows. Schnurr was Hough's father-in-law, ABC New York station WABC reported.

(MORE: Community members, friends attend vigil to honor victims of deadly limo crash)

The limo passengers were identified by New York State Police as:

  • Axel J. Steenburg, 29, and Amy L. Steenburg, 29, of Amsterdam, New York

    • The couple had just married in June, and the group was out celebrating Amy Steenburg's 30th birthday, WABC reported.

  • Richard M. Steenburg, 34, of Johnstown, New York

    • He leaves behind a 10-year-old daughter and 14-year-old stepson, according to WABC.

  • Allison King, 31, of Ballston Spa, New York
  • Mary E. Dyson, 33, of Watertown, New York
  • Robert J. Dyson, 34, of Watertown, New York
  • Abigail M. Jackson, 34, of Amsterdam, New York
  • Matthew W. Coons, 27, of Johnstown, New York
  • Savannah D. Bursese, 24, of Johnstown, New York
  • Patrick K. Cushing, 31, and Amanda D. Halse, 26, of Halfmoon, New York

    • Cushing and Halse had been dating for about a year, family told ABC News.

    Courtesy of Karina Halse via AP
    Amanda Halse and boyfriend Patrick Cushing pose for a photo in this undated photo provided by Amanda's sister, Karina Halse. The two were killed when a limousine they were riding in crashed Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Schoharie, N.Y.

    "She was such a charismatic person and she just wanted to make sure everyone was happy and I'm so grateful that she was my sister out of everyone else on this earth,” Karina Halse said of her sister on "Good Morning America."

  • Erin R. McGowan, 34, and Shane T. McGowan, 30, of Amsterdam, New York
    • Valerie Lynne Abeling via AP
    In this June 8, 2018 photo provided by Valerie Lynne Abeling, Erin and Shane McGowan attend their wedding reception in Amsterdam, N.Y. The couple was among the 20 people who died in Saturday's limousine crash in Schoharie, N.Y. "You're always hoping you find the love of your life, it's what you hope and wish and dream for, and they found each other," Erin McGowan's uncle Anthony Vertucci said. "They had big plans."

    The couple had married earlier this year, family told ABC News.

  • Amanda Rivenburg, 29, of Colonie, New York
    • Cathi Butryn/Living Resources Corporation via AP
    Amanda Rivenburg appears in this photo provided by Living Resources Corporation, April 19, 2018. Rivenburg was killed when a limousine she was riding in crashed Saturday, Oct. 6, in Schoharie, N.Y.
  • Adam G. Jackson, 34, of Amsterdam, New York
  • Rachael K. Cavosie, 30, of Waterford, New York
  • Michael C. Ukaj, 33, of Johnstown, New York
    • (MORE: Limo in New York crash that killed 20 had failed inspection and driver didn't have appropriate license: Governor)

    The driver, 53-year-old Scott Lisinicchia of Lake George, New York, did not have the appropriate driver's license required to drive a vehicle that can hold more than 15 occupants,A law enforcement official told ABC News.

    Hans Pennink/AP
    Family members and friends gather for a candlelight vigil memorial at Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook Pedestrian Bridge in Amsterdam, N.Y., Oct. 8, 2018.
    Stephanie Keith/Getty Images, FILE
    Family members mourn during a candlelight vigil for the victims of the fatal limousine crash, Oct. 8, 2018, in Amsterdam, New York.

    Community members held a candlelit vigil Monday night to honor the victims of the crash.

    (MORE: Newlyweds, young couple among 20 killed in New York limousine crash, families say)

    ABC News' Aaron Katersky, Meghan Keneally and Christine Theodorou contributed to this report.

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