Rainbow Bridge crash, explosion not connected to terrorism : FBI

The FBI said on Wednesday evening that they are handing over the car crash and explosion case that took place at the border earlier in the day to the Niagara Falls Police Department for further investigation as a traffic incident.

According to a statement released by the FBI, their investigation at the Rainbow Bridge incident site has been concluded. A thorough search of the area yielded no evidence of explosives, and no connections to terrorism were found. 

At a press conference on Wednesday evening, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said that there was no evidence of a terrorist attack in the crash that occurred on the U.S. side of the Rainbow Bridge. The agency's conclusions align with Governor Hochul's statement, who also mentioned that there were no signs of explosives at the scene. 

According to Hochul, earlier that day, a vehicle had approached a border checkpoint, crashed into a booth, and exploded, becoming airborne. The incident was so astonishing that Hochul compared it to something that could have been generated by artificial intelligence. The driver and passenger both lost their lives, with one of the victims being a resident of western New York. 

According to Hochul, one booth agent was injured in the incident and received medical treatment at a hospital. They were discharged later in the day. Hochul described the area as very congested and potentially disastrous. 

The investigation will be lengthy due to extensive damage to the vehicle and debris scattered across 13 booths. Hochul mentioned that there is no license plate available. Following Hochul's news conference, U.S. Sec. of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas issued a statement on X, saying that the incident does not appear to be terrorism-related. Mayorkas also expressed the intention to closely cooperate with state and local authorities. 

Hochul confirmed that the Rainbow Bridge was closed after the incident. 

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