The victims names of the Rainbow Bridge car explosion are now known
A distressing video capturing a fatal incident on November 22 has emerged, depicting the tragic moment of a car traveling from the American side toward a US-Canada bridge, crashed and burst into flames at a Niagara Falls checkpoint.
The harrowing collision unfolded when a speeding Bentley collided with a fence and curb, propelling it into the air and into a secondary screening area.
Who are Kurt Villani and Monica Villani names of victims of Rainbow Bridge car explosion as video goes viral on Twitter
Subsequently, the vehicle breached an eight-foot barrier before igniting in a blaze that claimed the lives of a couple.
The victims, presumed to be residents of Grand Island, NY, in their 50s, were proprietors of multiple businesses in western New York, as stated by Robert Restaino, the mayor of Niagara Falls with their identities now known.
New York police have identified the two victims who died in an explosion on the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls this week and the Niagara Falls Police Department said in a release that a husband and wife were killed in the explosion: 53-year-old Kurt Villani and 53-year-old Monica Villani, both of Grand Island, N.Y.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the couple intended to cross the border to attend a Kiss concert in Toronto. However, due to the flu-related illness of vocalist Paul Stanley, the concert was canceled earlier in the day.
Consequently, the couple visited a nearby casino, and the tragic crash occurred as they left in their Bentley.
The Seneca Nation, operators of the Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino, announced their cooperation with law enforcement in scrutinizing and providing relevant data concerning the involved car.
Video Showed Substantial Flames
Following the collision, which initially raised concerns of a potential terror attack, New York Governor Kathy Hochul clarified that the incident was solely traffic-related. She emphasized the miraculous aspect that there weren’t more injuries given the substantial flames witnessed in the video footage.
The high-speed impact is vividly captured in the video, showing the car smashing into a curb, soaring through the air, and landing in a border police screening area before catching fire.
A Border Patrol agent sustained minor injuries in the crash and received prompt medical attention. Hochul dismissed any terrorism connection based on online threats and assured the public that the situation was still unfolding.
Flying Bentley trying to get to Canadian Kiss concert.
The car launches itself towards Canada.Rainbow bridge crossing pic.twitter.com/SS7PGP9BbZ
— TW Kyttre (@twkitter) November 24, 2023
UPDATE: The individuals in the car in the rainbow bridge accident have been identified as Kurt and Monica Villani, a husband and wife. They were from Grand Island and WERE NOT Muslim terrorists like so many irresponsible people were claiming.
Those who claimed that these… pic.twitter.com/qTZk8e9vC5
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) November 24, 2023
The FBI’s Buffalo division concurred, stating that no terrorism nexus was identified, and no explosives were found at the scene. The investigation has now been handed over to the Niagara Falls Police Department as a traffic-related inquiry.
Close associates of the Rainbow Bridge crash victims described them as “kind friends” who played an influential role in their community. Scott Henderson, treasurer of the Niagara Sailing Club, expressed shock and disbelief, highlighting the couple’s significance in the community.
The couple’s neighbor and friend, Chuck Meyer, recounted the surreal moment of discovering their full driveway, initially assuming a celebration.
Another neighbor, Mary Meyer, remembered the couple as generous, kind, and always willing to help, expressing deep sorrow at their untimely demise.
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