Bentley driver's 'medical emergency' leads to $300,000 supercar crash at Canadian border

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【Summary】A businessman crashed his $300,000 Bentley into the US-Canada border, potentially due to a medical emergency. The car exploded into a fireball, killing the driver and his wife. They were on their way to a KISS concert in Toronto, which was later canceled. Authorities are struggling to identify the couple's remains due to the extensive damage. There is no evidence of terrorism. The incident closed the Rainbow Bridge on Thanksgiving eve.

FutureCar Staff Nov 23, 2023 3:18 PM PT

Bentley driver's 'medical emergency' leads to $300,000 supercar crash at Canadian border

A businessman from New York crashed his $300,000 Bentley into the US border with Canada, and there are claims that he may have suffered a medical emergency prior to the accident. The 56-year-old driver, along with his wife, hit a barricade at high speed and flew into the crossing. The couple had just left a casino near the border and were on their way to a KISS concert in Toronto, which was later canceled due to the illness of the band's frontman. The crash caused concerns of a possible terror attack, but New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that it was a traffic-related incident.

Authorities were having difficulty confirming the identities of the victims due to the extensive damage caused by the explosion. The car, reported to be a Bentley, crashed into a fence and erupted into a 40-foot fireball. The couple had briefly visited the Seneca Niagara casino before heading to the border. It was speculated that the driver, who came from a well-known family, may have had a medical issue. The incident occurred on the eve of Thanksgiving, a busy travel day.

Governor Hochul expressed shock at the footage of the fireball and emphasized that there was no indication of terrorism. Police sources confirmed that no explosives were found in the car. One Border Patrol agent sustained minor injuries in the crash. Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that officers from the NYPD were sent to assist with the situation. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives were also involved in the investigation.

While the incident is still under investigation, Governor Hochul and FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia stated that there was no evidence of terrorism. The US Attorney for the Western District of New York, Trini Ross, confirmed that their initial investigation did not indicate any terrorism-related motives. The White House and Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, were briefed on the incident, and additional security measures were being considered at border crossings in Canada.

Eyewitnesses described the horrifying moments leading up to the crash, with the vehicle swerving and fishtailing at high speeds. The car hit a fence, causing a fire, and then shot up in the air, resulting in a massive explosion. Fire trucks and police quickly arrived at the scene. The witness reported seeing car parts scattered everywhere and expressed doubt that the driver would survive. The car was estimated to be traveling at over 100mph.