Investigators believe the $300,000 Bentley that crashed at the Niagara Falls border checkpoint – exploding in a fireball that caused widespread panic and killed a wealthy New York couple – may have suffered mechanical failure, according to the local mayor.
The FBI confirmed in the hours after Wednesday’s fiery crash on the Rainbow Bridge that it had completed its own investigation after finding “no explosives, and no terrorism connection.”
It’s now being investigated as a “traffic investigation” by the Niagara Falls Police Department — who believe it’s likely either the driver had a medical incident or the car malfunctioned, sources told The Buffalo News.
Niagra Falls Mayor Robert Restaino also told the New York Times that investigators are looking into a possible mechanical failure that caused it to accelerate to at least 100 mph before flying over a fence and crashing into a border crossing booth.
Dramatic video posted online shows the $300,000 vehicle going airborne.AP
Restaino suggested that it was an old model car. However, police told The Buffalo News it was a 2022 Bentley sedan, which is worth around $300,000.
Erin Bronner, a spokeswoman for Bentley Motors’ American arm, told the Times that authorities had not yet contacted the automaker about the incident.
Niagara Police Department Superintendent John Faso also cautioned that “Due to the complexity of the incident, the investigation will take some time to complete.”
The vehicle crashed into a border patrol hut and burst into flames. via REUTERS
The department’s Crash Management Unit spent Thanksgiving trying to reconstruct what happened before the previous day’s crash, which eyewitnesses mistook for a plane because of how high the Bentley soared.
The husband and wife in the car – who have yet to be officially identified – were on their way to see KISS in concert in Toronto, a show that was canceled when frontman Paul Stanley came down with the flu.
The pair made a brief stop at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino – which confirmed it was helping investigators – before crashing about a mile away.
The couple is in their 50s and owns several businesses in Western New York, where they live in a small community on the northern side of Grand Island.
The Niagara Falls Police Department’s Crash Management Unit has taken over the investigation.Robert Bennett
They are both members of the Niagara Sailing Club in Grand Island, and are prominent members of the community, the club’s treasurer, Scott Henderson, told WGRV.
“Not only did people talk, but then I made the announcement and some people were shocked,” he said.
“It’s not just such a young couple, but so ingrained and influential in this community.”
Map showing the distance of the Bentley vehicle from the Rainbow Bridge and US Customs.
The victim’s friend Chuck Meyer also described the couple as good neighbors and good friends.
“It’s really shocking and devastating, and it’s heartbreaking, really,” Meyer said of her reaction to the news. “They are very loved.
“They are very generous and kind and always ready to help,” he said. “You know, just plowing everybody’s way into loving it, you know what I mean? Just always be willing to lend a hand. Always, always, always.
“They are very good, wonderful people.”
With Postal wire.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
