Who Are Kurt and Monica Villani? Pair Killed in Niagara Car Explosion

Police in Niagara Falls have confirmed the identities of the two people killed when their vehicle crashed near a bridge linking the United States and Canada on Wednesday afternoon, causing it to explode and sparking false speculation that it was a terrorist attack.

In a statement, the Niagara Falls Police Department (NFPD) said the victims were 53-year-old Kurt P. Villani and his wife Monica Villani, also aged 53, both from Grand Island, New York.

It added: "The incident is currently under investigation by the NFPD Crash Management Unit, no further details are available at this time.

"The City of Niagara Falls would like to extend our sincere condolences to the families as they deal with this tragedy."

The accident took place when a 2022 Bentley containing the couple hit a concrete barrier whilst travelling at speed down Niagara Street, launching it into the air before it exploded near the customs plaza, according to Niagara Falls Police Superintendent John Faso.

CCTV video released by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) showed a car travelling at high speed and then flying into the air immediately prior to the crash. This took place on the U.S. side of the border.

One CBP worker also suffered light injuries from the incident and received hospital treatment, though they've since been released.

In a statement published on Thursday, the FBI's Buffalo office said there was no indication the incident had been terrorism-related.

The office said: "FBI Buffalo has concluded our investigation at the scene of the Rainbow Bridge incident. A search of the scene revealed no explosive materials, and no terrorism nexus was identified. The matter has been turned over to the Niagara Falls Police Department as a traffic investigation."

In the immediate aftermath of the crash, four bridge crossings from western New York state to Ontario in Canada, including Rainbow Bridge, were closed by U.S. authorities. Police patrols were stepped up in Toronto whilst additional security checks were introduced for vehicles entering Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

Superintendent Faso said the car that crashed had stopped at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, which is owned by the Seneca Nation, shortly before the accident. This was confirmed by a spokesperson for the Seneca Nation who said: "We have reviewed and provided information related to a vehicle that stopped at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino only for a matter of minutes shortly before the crash occurred."

According to local newspaper The Buffalo News, the two victims may have been planning to attend a concert in Toronto on Wednesday night.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed the vehicle that crashed had been completely destroyed.

She said: "If you can imagine, this vehicle basically incinerated. Nothing is left but the engine. The pieces are scattered over 13, 14 booths."

Country star John Rich came under fire on social media after sharing a post from another account on X, formerly Twitter, incorrectly calling the incident an "attempted terrorist attack" which he blamed on "open borders."

Rich wrote: "Our wide open borders are coming home to roost. We have no idea who is in our country, or where they are. Stay vigilant, keep your head on a swivel."

Another X user replied: "This happened at a border patrol station, and involved a vehicle LEAVING the US heading into Canada. Think before you tweet."