Wednesday's fiery crash at the Rainbow Bridge near Niagara Falls caused concern and led to a shutdown of all four bridges between the US and Canada. The car involved in the accident hit a barrier at an "extraordinarily high rate of speed," soaring into the air before crashing into a Customs and Border Protection booth and bursting into flames. While one officer sustained minor injuries, the car was "basically incinerated" and debris was scattered across the scene.

The incident prompted federal investigators to examine the crash as a possible act of terrorism. However, within hours, officials shared preliminary findings suggesting there was no indication of terrorist motivation. US Attorney Trini Ross of the Western District of New York stated, "But we will continue to stay vigilant. We will continue to make sure that the information we have is passed onto the public."

Both US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were briefed on the incident as the investigation unfolded. The Rainbow Bridge and the other three bridges have since reopened, but the effects of this incident were far-reaching. The heightened state of alert surrounding the crash caused increased anxiety and stress levels among the public. The Buffalo-Niagara International Airport implemented security checks on all cars and passengers, resulting in traffic delays on one of the busiest travel days of the year.

Although the investigation remains ongoing, officials have stated that there is no sign of terrorist activity thus far. The focus now shifts to understanding the details of the crash and determining whether it was an accident or an intentional act.