A vehicle speeding toward U.S.-Canada bridge from the American side crashed and exploded at a checkpoint in Niagara Falls on Wednesday, leaving two people dead and prompting the closing of four border crossings in the area, authorities said.
A vehicle crashed into a checkpoint structure at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing a very high-rate of speed, four senior law enforcement officials briefed on the matter told NBC News.
In a statement posted to social media late Wednesday night, the FBI said it has concluded its investigation and "no terrorism nexus was identified. The FBI said no explosive materials were found and "the matter has been turned over to the Niagara Falls Police Department as a traffic investigation."
According to senior law enforcement sources, the vehicle was on the U.S. side of the border when it hit the structure, caught on fire and exploded while heading toward the Canadian side.
Two people inside the vehicle that crashed at the CBP facility died, according to senior law enforcement officials briefed on the matter. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, who represents New York state, said he believed it was "the driver and his wife who were the two victims."
An initial search did not find any explosive devices inside or around the vehicle wreckage, according to multiple law enforcement sources.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said at a press conference that terrorism did not appear to play a role in the incident that she called a "horrific incident," and law enforcement was not aware of any other threats to the area.
"Based on what we know at this moment…there is no sign of terrorist activity with respect to this crash," Hochul said, adding she was looking to "lower the temperature" on concerns the incident was some form of attack.
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Investigators are looking into whether the driver, who Hochul said was a resident of Western New York, had recently left a nearby casino and then sped off from the area. Hochul said she could not confirm where the car came from, but she noted there was "suspicion that the vehicle may have originated in that vicinity" of a casino.
There is a casino about a 10-minute drive away from the scene of the crash.
NBC News was told a Customs and Border Protection officer suffered minor injuries that did not require hospitalization. Hochul said the officer was inside a booth at the crossing, which protected the individual from further potential injuries.
The two people killed inside the vehicle had not yet been identified; the bodies were so badly burned that DNA swabs were needed in an attempt to identify them, according to a source briefed on the investigation. Multiple law enforcement sources said that the driver was accompanied by a relative, perhaps his wife, who had stopped at the casino possibly to exchange currency before going to Toronto.
"This vehicle basically incinerated. Nothing is left but the engine," Hohcul said, adding that the vehicle did not have any license plates.
Video exclusively obtained by NBC New York showed the car, a white sedan, speeding along the U.S. side of the border before it hits a median and goes airborne. Upon landing, it burst into flames, killing both people inside. Cellphone video showed flames at the checkpoint where the vehicle had crashed.
"[The car] crashed into the median, sent the vehicle airborne. When you see this video, your jaw will drop in disbelief," said Hochul. "This went so high, over an eight-foot high fence. It’s rather extraordinary."
Dark smoke could be seen pouring out from under the car as it flew into the air. Investigators are looking into whether the fire was a result of the gas tank rupturing upon impact, which caused the explosion and resulting fire.
“It was a ball of fire like 30 or 40 feet high. I never seen anything like it. It was incredible," witness Mike Guenther told NBC's Buffalo affiliate WGRZ. He said he saw the car speeding from the U.S. side of the Rainbow Bridge toward the Canadian side, but when it swerved to pass a slower vehicle, it struck something and flew into the air.
The witness said the car may have been going more than 100 mph.
Four border crossings in Western New York were closed in the immediate aftermath, according to the New York State Department of Transportation. Those crossings included the Rainbow Bridge, Peace Bridge, the Lewiston-Queenston and the Whirlpool Bridge — all of which were later opened except for the Rainbow Bridge. NYSDOT said remaining international crossings were "on heightened alert" but remained open.
The Rainbow Bridge was expected to remain closed for some time as the scene of the investigation was quite large, Hochul said. Amtrak suspended cross-border service as well.
The Transportation Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security are monitoring the situation and "may adjust security postures as (or when) necessary." The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority said the Buffalo and Niagara Falls airports remained fully operational, but it would be increasing security systemwide and travelers could expect additional screenings.
New York City Mayor Adams said the NYPD is monitoring the incident at the Rainbow Bridge.
"The NYPD and our partners have already enhanced security, and the city is on heightened alert due to the upcoming holiday, so the public will see increased security at locations across New York City, including entry and egress points into and out of the city," Adams said in a statement.
President Biden was briefed on the situation and was monitoring developments, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the crash at the border "a very serious situation."
Authorities are trying to determine whether or not the incident was intentional, or perhaps borne out of some sort of health-related episode. The FBI's Evidence Response Team was at the scene shortly around 2:30 p.m.
No additional information was immediately available.
