Rainbow Bridge Blast: 3D Scanning Recreates Niagara Falls Scene

TL/DR –

A car explosion at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing near Niagara Falls resulted in two deaths. Authorities are now investigating whether a mechanical failure could be responsible for the blast, with the vehicle’s Event Data Recorder (similar to an aircraft’s “black box”) potentially crucial to understanding the cause. The incident sparked initial fears of a terrorist attack, but these have since been dismissed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul and FBI officials.

Vehicle explosion at Niagara Falls leaves two dead

A vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls has resulted in two fatalities. The Niagara Falls Police Department, led by Chief John Faso, is utilizing 3D scanning technology to create a digital crash scene for investigation.

It’s a time-consuming process, acknowledges Faso. Investigators are looking into the possibility of a mechanical failure being the root cause. The vehicle’s Event Data Recorder (EDR), likened to an aircraft’s “black box,” could hold key information about the crash.

According to Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino, the deceased couple, identified as Kurt P Villani and Monica Villani, drove an older Bentley model. It’s theorized that a mechanical glitch may have caused the vehicle to accelerate suddenly as it approached the border checkpoint.

The vehicle was captured on camera accelerating before hitting a curb, becoming airborne, and then combusting, instantly killing the couple. Initial fears of a terrorist attack were later assuaged by New York Governor Kathy Hochul and FBI officials, who found no signs of terrorist activity.

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