SAN FRANCISCO—Five women were killed and several others were injured in a tragic limousine fire that occurred on Saturday, May 5, while driving over the San Francisco Bay. There were nine occupants total in the limousine that was en route to a bridal shower on Saturday evening and was traveling from Oakland to the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Among those deceased was the bride whom the party in question was for. Neriza Fojas, 31, of the Philippines, had recently gotten married in the U.S. and was planning a second ceremony in the Philippines for her family sometime next month.
According to sources, all of the occupants in the limousine, including the bride, were of Filipino origin and were working nurses. Fojas had been working at the Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, CA.
The Lincoln Town car stretch limousine was driving across the San-Mateo Hayward Bridge when it suddenly caught fire. The four surviving women in the vehicle escaped with minor injuries, two of which were reported to be in serious condition. All four were treated for burns and smoke inhalation. According to California Highway Patrol, the fire was reported around 10 p.m. on Saturday night on westbound Highway 92.
Witnesses and other sources on the scene said there was no proof of a prior accident or collision that caused the fire and an investigation is being done to find out if the vehicle had any prior issues that led to the tragedy.
Officials have also recently sent out new information regarding the occupancy in the vehicle. According to authorities, the limousine was only authorized to carry eight passengers, but there were nine occupants in the vehicle. Authorities are going to investigate if this may have contributed to the accident.
The company that owns the limo that caught on fire, Limo Stop, issued a statement following the incident, saying, “We are deeply saddened by the tragedy last night involving the young women, five of whom lost their lives in the limousine fire on the San Mateo Bridge.”
By Nedda Alishahi
