Husband and wife, Kurt P. Villani and Monica Villani, identified as victims in fiery car crash at Niagara Falls border checkpoint

Two people have been killed in a tragic car crash at a border checkpoint in Niagara Falls, which subsequently resulted in a fiery explosion. The victims have been identified as Kurt P. Villani and Monica Villani, both aged 53 and residents of Grand Island, New York. The couple’s family owns Gui’s Lumber and several Ace Hardware stores in the Buffalo area.

The incident occurred at the Rainbow Bridge when the couple’s car raced through an intersection, collided with a low median, and was propelled into the air before crashing into a row of security booths and bursting into flames. The aftermath of the explosion was widely shared online, leading to concerns on both sides of the border. In response, the bridge and three other crossings were temporarily closed.

Authorities have yet to release specific details regarding the cause of the crash. However, the FBI’s Buffalo office has confirmed that there are no indications of a terrorist attack, and local police are treating the incident as a traffic investigation.

The Niagara Falls Police Department has stressed that the investigation will take time due to the complexity of the crash. They have released a statement expressing condolences to the victims’ families.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul described the scene as “surreal,” explaining that the vehicle was completely incinerated, with only the engine and some charred debris remaining. The crash and subsequent safety measures caused significant traffic disruptions on one of the busiest travel days in the United States, just before the American Thanksgiving holiday.

The Rainbow Bridge, which offers picturesque views of the falls, is crossed by approximately 6,000 vehicles daily, according to the U.S. Federal Highway Administration’s National Bridge Inventory. Following the investigation, the bridge and other crossings in the area have since been reopened.

The grieving families and Gui’s Lumber have requested privacy during this difficult time. As the investigation progresses, the community of Niagara Falls mourns the loss of Kurt and Monica Villani.