Rainbow Bridge crash: Niagara Falls police warn against misinformation
New York couple Kurt and Monica Villani died on Wednesday when their speeding Bentley rammed into the border crossing in Niagara Falls, causing an explosion
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Police in Niagara Falls have warned the public about the dangers of misinformation about the deadly crash at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing.
Kurt and Monica Villani, both 53 and from Grand Island, New York, were killed last Wednesday when their speeding Bentley rammed into the border crossing, which connects the US and Canada.
The blast instantly sparked fears of a terrorist attack, but officials later ruled this out.
Now, investigators are still working to piece together what caused the deadly crash with authorities probing the possibility of a mechanical failure on the car or a medical emergency involving the driver.
Police are also using 3D scanning technology to help create a “digital crash scene”.
While information remains scant, Niagara police chief of police hit out at the rampant speculation which is causing “significant and unnecessary anxiety” within the local community.
“We saw an immense amount of misinformation and speculation on both mainstream and social media platforms, which created significant and unnecessary anxiety in the community,” he said.
Vehicle black box ‘critical’ to investgation
Automotive analyst Lauren Fix said that the Event Data Recorder (EDR) – similar to an aircrafts “black box”, which collects vehicle data to share with manufacturers – maybe be a critical piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation into the Rainbow Bridge crash.
"Every vehicle it collects your data, that data is shared with the manufacturers," Ms Fix told NBC-affiliate-WGRZ.
"It knows steering input, because we have steer by wire, it has accelerator information," Fix said. "It would tell you if the pedal was put to the floor."
Ms Fix believes that acceleration data recovered from the EDR may help investigators narrow determining factors of the crash.
"They could actually see that the driver applied the accelerator pedal, not unintentionally, then it could have been [possibly] a medical issue," she told WGRZ. “They're going to have to make a decision based on the knowledge that they have."
The investigation was turned over to local law enforcement, after it was determined there was “no sign of terrorist activity” by the FBI.
Neighbours of crash couple: ‘They were so loved'
Members of the community described the crash victims, now identified by authorities as Kurt P Villani and Monica Villani, as “very kind, wonderful people”.
Chuck Meyer, a close friend and neighbour, told NBC-affiliate-WGRZ he had seen multiple vehicles at the Villani’s house on Wednesday, initially assuming that the couple were throwing an early Christmas or Thanksgiving party.
“Then about an hour later, heard the news and I’m like, oh my God,” he told the outlet.
Mary Meyer said: “It’s really shock and devastation and it’s just gut wrenching really, really. They were so loved.”
She added: “They were so generous and kind and always willing to help. You know, just plowing everybody’s driveway for the love of it, you know what I mean? Just always willing to help and lend a hand. Always. always, always.
“They were just so very, kind wonderful people.”
Mr Meyer saidd: "Without ever being asked, they would just be giving and gifting, and that's the type of people we lost."
Crash couple were ‘ingrained’ in local community
Scott Henderson, treasurer of the Niagara Sailing Club on Grand Island, told NBC-affiliate-WGRZ that the Villanis were “so ingrained and influential in this community.”
The Niagara Sailing Clubhouse, which was heavily damaged by a March 2021 fire, and the couple had made multiple donations, both personal and through their business, to help with its rennovation.
“Without those folks we would have never, never been able to this extent rebuild this beautiful club,” Mr Henderson said.
Niagara Falls identify victims of Rainbow Bridge crash
Police named the two people who died in the Rainbow Bridge crash as Kurt P Villani and Monica Villani on Thursday.
WATCH: Surveillance footage shows car speeding moments before explosion
ICYMI: What we know about the Rainbow Bridge crash
Two people, Kurt P Villani and Monica Villani, died after a vehicle exploded at a US-Canadaborder crossing at Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, on Wednesday 22 November.
The car was attempting to enter Canada from the United States when it sped toward a checkpoint, crashed into a fence and erupted “into a fireball” just before midday, according to witnesses.
Video footage and photos showed flames and thick black smoke billowing from the checkpoint, and a security booth that had been charred by flames.
The blast killed two, reportedly injured one Border Patrol officer and led to the closure of four border crossings between the US and Canada in New York state.
Within hours, investigators had ruled out that the car had been carrying explosives or was connected to terrorism.
Read the full story...
What we know about the deadly Rainbow Bridge explosion
Authorities have confirmed the incident was not a terrorist attack but the reason for the crash remains unclear
The timeline
Wednesday, 22 November:
- The band KISS cancelled its Toronto show due to frontman Paul Stanley catching the flu
- A New York couple, who had been planning on going to the concert, decide to go to a casino
- The couple left the casino, and headed toward the bridge
- 11.50am: The Rainbow Bridge was closed due to a “traffic event”
- Gov Kathy Hochul announces “there is no indication of a terrorist attack”
- The FBI also said “no terrorism nexus was identified”
Friday, 24 November:
- Police identify the couple as Kurt P Villani and Monica Villani from Grand Island New York
- They were survived by their two children
Niagara Falls Mayor: ‘We may never find out exactly what happened'
Niagara Falls Mayor Robert M Restaino paid tribute to Kurt and Monica Villani, describing them as “two kind, easygoing” people.
Mr Restaino, who was a longtime friend of Mr Villani’s father, Kurt Villani Sr, told The Buffalo News: “Our families have known each other for decades. I knew Kurt and Monica, two kind, easygoing and very hardworking people.
“This was just a tragic, horrible incident, and because of the condition of the vehicle and sadly the human remains, we may never find out exactly what happened.”
Mr Restaino said he would be astonished if the crash was intentional, adding: “I know police are looking into every possibility, but from my conversations with investigators, that appears very unlikely.”
The Villanis had a son and a daughter, and are also survived by Mr Villani’s mother, according to Mr Restaino.
Rainbow Bridge crash couple were ‘always plugged in’ to local community
Eric Fiebelkorn, president of the Chamber of Commerce on Grand Island, where the Villani’s lived, said the couple were well known in the business community and always happy to help with charitable causes and community projects.
“Everybody knows everybody on Grand Island... It’s the smallest town of small towns. There are some people who are always plugged in. Their family always was,” Mr Fiebelkorn told The Buffalo News.
“They are a very generous and community-oriented family,” Mr Fiebelkorn said. “It leaves a void in our small-town business community that will be very difficult to fill. Our prayers and our thoughts certainly go out to their family and staff.”
He added that news that the crash had involved a Bentley and a couple from Grand Island had sparked concern amongst friends and other members of the community.
“It’s a nice community, but not too many of us have Bentleys,” Mr Fiebelkorn said, adding: “It’s so sudden. Almost, really unbelievable.”
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