Police sources have assured CNN that the fatal accident allegedly involving a car full of explosives on the Rainbow Bridge, which crosses the U.S.-Canada border, was actually "a man who was traveling with his wife in a Bentley at a high rate of speed." Both the driver and passenger died.
According to the outlet, "The speeding vehicle hit a curb, then a guardrail that sent the vehicle airborne and into a secondary screening area."
CNN is reporting that the driver of the vehicle that Fox claimed was full of explosives was a 56-year-old man who lived in a very upscale area that had intended to go to the kiss concert.. he was driving a $300k Bentley with his wife. CNN says it loos like a terrible accident pic.twitter.com/CPlLuRk2TQ
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 22, 2023
Sources revealed that the man, who has not been officially identified, is a 56-year-old businessman who lives in New York. This latest information was confirmed by Governor Kathy Hochul, who assured that the car is associated with a western New York resident.
The man was supposedly heading with his wife to a Kiss concert in Canada, which was canceled due to Paul Stanley's illness, so the couple decided to turn back and go to a casino. The accident occurred just after leaving. It has also been reported that the man may have had a medical emergency before the event.
Terrorist attack ruled out
Police sources first told Fox that the explosion of the vehicle "was an attempted terrorist attack" and that there were "explosives" in the car. However, following investigations from authorities, Governor Hochul reported that there were no signs of terrorist involvement in the event:
There is no indication of terrorist involvement in the incident on the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls at this time.
Grateful to @nyspolice, @NYSDOT, and our local and federal partners who jumped into action. The bridge remains closed and other border crossings have reopened. pic.twitter.com/dnGyJgY7Pj— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) November 22, 2023
In a press conference from the scene, Hochul repeatedly reaffirmed that there is "no evidence that there was terrorist activity":
There's been no indication based on any online threats, anyone taking credit for anything ... There is no sign of terrorist activity with respect to this crash ... Based on what's happening in other parts of the world, everybody is on edge, and this is an international border ... I won't call it an accident, it has not been determined to be an accident. ... All I know is that was a horrific incident, a crash, an explosion, loss of life, but at this time no known terrorist connection.
I’m in Niagara Falls updating New Yorkers on the incident on the Rainbow Bridge. Watch live: https://t.co/4Jj6ejoUFs
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) November 22, 2023
The Buffalo FBI shared in a post on X, formerly Twitter, saying it found no "terrorism nexus" nor explosive materials.
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.
#NEW Statement from #FBI Buffalo regarding the investigation at Rainbow Bridge: pic.twitter.com/4lwvq8PsAe
— FBI Buffalo (@FBIBuffalo) November 23, 2023
Witness: 'It was almost like a movie'
The Erie County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services reported that all four bridges between Canada and the United States over the Niagara River were closed following the incident.
A witness to the crash named Rickie Wilson testified to CNN affiliate WKBW that the scene "was almost like a movie." The witness detailed that he momentarily thought it was a plane. He said the car was spinning when it came back to the ground and then hit something when it landed.
