Couple Killed in Rainbow Bridge Crash Identified

Police identified on Friday (November 24) the couple who died in a tragic car blast at the Rainbow Bridge in the US-Canada border as Kurt Villani and his wife Monica, both 53.

ABC Buffalo affiliate WKBW reported that the two were residents of Grand Island, 16 kilometers from New York

The bridge was reopened to traffic by Thursday evening (November 23)

Couple Killed in Rainbow Bridge Crash Identified — Canadian police cars are seen near the Rainbow Bridge border crossing into the US in Niagara Falls, Ontario, after a car exploded at a US-Canada checkpoint on November 22, 2023. US terrorism investigators deployed Wednesday after a car erupted into a fireball at a US-Canada checkpoint, triggering border closures on one of the busiest travel days in the American holiday calendar. Two people were killed in the blast, according to US media citing authorities, although their identities were not yet public. PETER POWER/AFP via Getty Images

Rundown of Fiery Crash

It was previously reported that the couple intended to attend a KISS concert across the border, only to be advised that it was canceled, and have decided to cross back to the US.

A US border agent was also injured in the incident on Wednesday (November 22).

Because of the destruction of the car and the date the incident happened - it happened on the eve of American Thanksgiving.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul later ruled out the incident as a terrorist act.

It was also unclear what caused the couple's vehicle to rapidly accelerate before it flew through the air and burst into flames.

Police said that their investigation was ongoing.