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Update: Hochul: 'No indication' of terrorism in fatal car crash, explosion at Rainbow Bridge The Buffalo News Ben Tsujimoto , Maki Becker , Jerry Zremski On the day before a national holiday, walking distance from Niagara Falls – one of the world’s natural wonders that draws millions of people annually – the peace was shattered by an explosion caused by a car crashing into an obstacle near a U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection booth. Law enforcement authorities did not know what caused the explosion on the Rainbow Bridge, and U.S. and Canadian officials weren’t taking any chances, shutting down traffic in both directions to all four international crossings between Western New York and Canada as they looked into whether an act of terror was committed on Western New York’s doorstep. Two people died in a vehicle that exploded on the American side of the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls late Wednesday morning, a federal law enforcement source said, prompting the closure of all four Niagara region bridges between the United States and Canada. But within six hours, local, state and federal officials gave the word: It was not. Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a news conference at the scene at 5 p.m. that “there is no indication of a terrorist attack.” Erie County Sheriff John Garcia said the crash was “a very unfortunate fatal car accident.” Later Wednesday night, after being briefed by representatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the White House, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said it is clear the vehicle crash is not related to terrorist activity. The FBI’s Evidence Response Team on the site of the accident swabbed for explosives and there was no evidence of any chemicals or substances that would create an explosion, Schumer said. He added that the FBI knows the identity of the man who owns the vehicle involved in the crash and his wife, who was also in the vehicle, and it has found no connection between them and any terrorist group or criminal activity. The names of the victims are still not being released at this time, but Schumer said more details are likely to come out tomorrow, on Thanksgiving Day. The investigation is continuing. “I think we can all breathe a sigh of relief that this horrible accident was not terror related," Schumer said. Authorities said the cause of the incident was still currently under investigation. Video from the scene showed a fire quickly spreading in the plaza and a huge plume of black smoke billowing into the sky. Other images that circulated on social media appeared to show charred remnants of a shattered vehicle strewn about the plaza. Two people inside the vehicle were dead and a customs officer was injured. Hochul said the investigation would likely take a long time. “This vehicle basically incinerated; there is nothing left but the engine,” she said. She also said that the authorities “have identified that this is a local individual.” According to two local law enforcement sources with knowledge of the investigation, the vehicle involved was a relatively new Bentley, and the two occupants of the car were from Western New York. Earlier in the day, the pair were at the Seneca Niagara Casino, the sources said. They were traveling at a high speed as they approached the bridge. Investigators are looking at the possibility that the driver had a medical incident or there was a malfunction with the vehicle. A video obtained by NBC News appeared to show a vehicle speeding on Niagara Street before going airborne at the bridge entrance. Immediately after the crash, U.S. and Canadian authorities shut down not only the Rainbow Bridge, but also the Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and Whirlpool Bridge. All but the Rainbow Bridge were reopened by about 5 p.m. At Buffalo Niagara International Airport, flights continued but security was greatly heightened. NFTA police with K9 units checked each car that entered the airport and passengers were subjected to extra screenings. Officials set up a checkpoint to inspect cars entering the Buffalo Airport on Wednesday. Buffalo City Hall and three Erie County buildings, including the Rath Building, the old County Court House and Family Court, closed early on Wednesday as a precaution. The Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo’s two campuses in Amherst and Buffalo announced to members that, under the advice of law enforcement, they decided to close through the Thanksgiving holiday. Turkey Trot organizers said they were keeping in touch with law enforcement, but the annual race is expected to go on as scheduled. A customs officer working at the crossing was injured in the incident. Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center has evaluated and treated “a single patient with non-life-threatening injuries” from the incident, said Sean Dwyer, the hospital’s marketing director. That patient, a border patrol agent, has already been discharged from the hospital, Dwyer added. The FBI Office in Buffalo was leading the investigation. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was aiding in the investigation, along with Homeland Security Investigations. Garcia told The News that his specialty teams are involved in the investigation, as well. The car explosion made national news and drew attention from the top leaders of Washington, D.C. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that President Biden was aware of the incident. “The president has been briefed on the vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge Port of Entry. He and his team are closely following developments,” Jean-Pierre wrote. Schumer and fellow Senator Kirsten Gillibrand both were briefed by the FBI. Paul Edwards, of England, and Gloria Fiorito, of Hamilton, Ontario, were on their way back from the outlets in Erie, Pa., shopping for holiday gifts for their grandchildren when they noticed the commotion at the Rainbow Bridge entrance. “We went on a little getaway for the night. We were looking for deals, which we found,” Fiorito said. “We were really looking forward to being home today.” The couple got out of their car after seeing emergency vehicles gathered at the entrance to the Rainbow Bridge. They approached reporters gathered at the corner of Niagara and Third streets and said they didn’t know at first why the bridge was closed. “Because it’s Niagara Falls, I’m sure (the news coverage) will spread all over the world,” Edwards said. The couple booked a hotel room for the night and said they would try to cross the bridge again on Thursday. They were thankful to not be closer to the scene of the explosion. “You never know what could have happened,” Edwards said.

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