Driver of CA limo that caught fire, killing 4, mistook 1st plea for help

The driver of a limousine that burst into flames on a San Francisco Bay area bridge, killing five women, says he at first misunderstood what one of the passengers in the back was saying when she complained about smelling smoke.

Orville Brown told the San Francisco Chronicle that with the music up he initially thought the woman was asking if she could smoke. Seconds later, he said the women knocked again, this time screaming, “Smoke, smoke!” and “Pull over.”

The fire broke out late Saturday night as the Lincoln Town Car crossed the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge on the south end of the bay.

The driver and four women got out, but five others were trapped, including the bride whose marriage they were celebrating.