NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Niagara Falls Police have identified the couple involved in the fiery crash at the Rainbow Bridge on Wednesday.
Kurt P. Villani, 53, and his wife, Monica Villani, 53, both of Grand Island, New York, died after their car crashed into a customs booth and burst into flames.
Police Superintendent John Faso noted Friday that their crash investigation was just beginning but he confirmed that the vehicle involved was a 2022 Bentley Flying Spur.
Faso credits Niagara Falls firefighters with being first to the scene Wednesday and relaying to police what had happened as they tried to put out the car.
"It was basically chaos," Superintendent Faso said in a phone interview with 2 On Your Side.
He said initially there was real concern among law enforcement that the crash was a terrorist attack.
It was not, and Faso said Niagara Falls Police officers were the ones who quickly found and verified information obtained from nearby cameras and witnesses that proved it.
That information was then passed along to the FBI, who later said that no explosive materials were found and that "no terrorism nexus was identified." The crash was then turned over for further investigation to Niagara Falls Police.
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"This is not something that's going to happen overnight. This investigation will take quite a long time," said Faso.
The department’s Crash Management Unit has already 3D mapped the crash site, Faso said, using a newly updated tool. He added that possible vehicle malfunction and medical circumstances will both be a part of their investigation, as is the case with any crash.
2 On Your Side was told Friday that the bodies of Monica and Kurt Villani were transferred from the Niagara County Coroner's Office to the office of the Erie County Medical Examiner for further examination.
"Everything, every angle, will be considered and will be investigated thoroughly," Faso said.
He added that people should think twice about speculating or sharing falsehoods online as the family grieves this horrible tragedy. Faso said he is confident in his team; however, it's just too early for answers.
"There is so much speculation and everybody reads what is going on. First respect what the family is going through before you decide to share some rumor," the Superintendent of Police said.
The Erie County Sheriff's Office sent out a statement on behalf of the Villani, Maniccia and Gui's Lumber families:
“We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all that extended prayers, condolences, and well wishes. We are deeply touched. At this point, we are requesting privacy so we may begin the process of healing. Thank you”
The Seneca Nation confirmed on Friday that the Villani's were at the casino for a brief moment prior to the crash. They issued the following statement:
"We are cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation into the incident that occurred near the Rainbow Bridge. We have reviewed and provided information related to a vehicle that stopped at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino only for a matter of minutes shortly before the crash occurred."
While the Rainbow Bridge was closed for over a day after this tragedy occurred it reopened as of Thursday night.