Reports state that the inquiry into the vehicle collision and explosion at a border checkpoint in Niagara Falls, New York on Wednesday, resulting in the death of the married couple inside, is looking into the possibility of mechanical or medical issues as the cause.
As authorities revealed the identities of the individuals involved in the Rainbow Bridge accident, it was discovered that they were Kurt P Villani and Monica Villani, both 53 years old. The Villani family is well-known in the Buffalo, New York area for owning multiple hardware stores and a lumber business.
According to the New York Times, Mayor Robert Restaino of Niagara Falls stated that the Villanis may have initially been en route to a Kiss concert in Canada, which was canceled hours before their fatal accident. The Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, located approximately one mile from the bridge, verified that the Villanis had briefly visited the gambling establishment before their crash.
The accident occurred when the Villanis’ 2022 Bentley Flying Spur drove quickly through an intersection at Rainbow Bridge, hitting a low median and becoming airborne. The high-end vehicle collided with a row of security booths and caught fire.
According to Niagara Falls police superintendent John Faso, the investigation has just begun and it will take some time to reach a conclusion as they are currently examining all the data. News 4 Buffalo reported that Faso stated, “The investigation is ongoing and will not be completed quickly.”
“They will search for any mechanical or weather-related problems, as well as determine if this was a medical occurrence.”
According to reports, Faso also mentioned, “We will thoroughly examine all aspects, including speed, mechanical problems, and any available information.”
The deadly accident immediately sparked worries about security and led to discussions about the safety of the border. The United States had to shut down the Lewiston, Whirlpool, and Peace Bridge border checkpoints with Canada due to concerns about a possible terrorist attack.
Initial media reports suggested the possibility of a terrorist attack involving explosives. However, according to FBI officials, there is no evidence to support this claim or the existence of a terror plot.
The federal government has delegated the investigation to local law enforcement, who are handling it as a car accident.
GOP representative Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania was one of the many individuals who reacted strongly to false details about the crash that were linked to terrorism. Kelly shared that he had previously expressed concern about the increase of potential terrorists entering the country through the northern border.
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Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, stated that the car was completely destroyed with only the engine and some charred remnants left.
The local law enforcement agency stated that their team was carefully examining the wreckage in hopes of locating the black box of the vehicle. This device contains crucial data that could help determine the reason for the accident, but its retrieval proved challenging due to the condition of the scene, according to News 4.
According to Faso, reconstructing a vehicle that is still intact is a straightforward process, but in this case, we do not have that luxury. This is currently the biggest challenge.
The reporting in this piece was provided by The Associated Press.
Source: theguardian.com
