Husband and Wife in Bentley Involved in Fatal Crash at US-Canadian Border Bridge

Law enforcement sources have disclosed that a tragic crash at the Rainbow Bridge, connecting the United States and Canada, is believed to have involved a married couple traveling in a Bentley at high speed. The vehicle, reportedly on its way to a KISS concert in Canada, struck a curb and then a guardrail, propelling it airborne and into a secondary screening area, according to the sources.Show more

The couple, residents of New York State, had initially planned to attend the concert but redirected to a US casino after its cancellation. The fatal incident occurred after their departure from the casino.

The explosion, which occurred on the eve of the US Thanksgiving holiday, initially raised concerns of a potential terror attack, prompting closures and delays on a busy travel day. However, New York Governor Kathy Hochul clarified in a press conference that there is currently no indication of terrorism involvement.

US Attorney Trini Ross echoed this sentiment in a separate news conference, emphasizing that their preliminary investigation did not reveal any terrorism-related aspects. The FBI, after conducting an examination at the Rainbow Bridge scene, confirmed the absence of a terrorism connection and explosive materials.

Witness Rickie Wilson described the car's trajectory as resembling a scene from a movie, noting that the vehicle seemed to fly through the air before disintegrating upon impact. Governor Hochul later confirmed that two individuals in the vehicle had lost their lives, and a border patrol employee in a booth suffered minor injuries.

Contrary to earlier reports suggesting the car was traveling from Canada to the US, Governor Hochul clarified that the vehicle is associated with a resident of western New York.

In the aftermath of the incident, all four bridges between Canada and the United States were temporarily closed. The Peace, Whirlpool, and Lewiston-Queenston bridges reopened later in the day. Buffalo Niagara International Airport also implemented additional screenings for travelers.

Both US and Canadian leaders were briefed on the situation as the investigation unfolded. Erie County Sheriff John Garcia described the crash as a "tragic accident" and assured that every precaution was taken to ensure community safety.

Authorities faced challenges in identifying the victims due to the intensity of the fire, making it difficult to determine if the registered owner and the driver at the scene were the same person. FBI Special Agent in Charge Matthew Miraglia indicated that the preliminary assessment revealed no nefarious activity by the individual they have in mind. A comprehensive investigation, including the examination of social media, is ongoing.

Federal authorities are working to retrieve video footage from various angles to reconcile conflicting witness statements. The Niagara International Transportation Technology Coalition reported the bridge closure, with camera footage showing haze around the site of the incident.