those joints are conversions. The one involved in this accident was a 2001 Ford Excursion, converted into a limo. I won't speak on this one, because I obviously don't have the specifics on it...but, the problem with most conversions is...kinda what you said. They basically cut the joint in half, add steel railing to extend it for as long as they want it and then add steel sheeting for the floor, and (hopefully) lateral stiffeners and weld it all back together. Not to mention a modified driveshaft, the long ass seats inside and outer body panels. That's alot of fucking weight added to the joint, then throw in 18 human beings and if the braking system and shit is not upgraded...ugh. Let me chill. I don't want to speculate. Shit really hurts my spirit, man.