The FBI is investigating after two vehicles collided and plowed into a crowd during a New Year’s Eve concert in Rochester, New York, killing two people and wounding five others.
Authorities claimed thousands of people were leaving the Kodak Center after ringing in the new year when the deadly crash enveloped the night’s celebrations in tragedy.
At roughly 12:50 a.m. Monday, revelers were strolling on a crosswalk outside the venue when a Ford SUV slammed into a Mitsubishi Outlander leaving a nearby parking lot, Rochester Police Chief David Smith said during a news conference.
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According to Smith, the force of the crash propelled the automobiles “through” a group of pedestrians on the crosswalk.
Two passengers in the Mitsubishi were killed, while the driver was taken to the hospital in stable condition. According to the chief, the Ford driver was also hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
Three people were struck and brought to the hospital, one of whom was in critical condition, according to Smith.
According to the chief, “numerous pedestrians,” including a Rochester police officer, were nearly struck by the automobiles.
At least a dozen gasoline canisters were discovered
According to the chief, the incident also started a fire that took firemen nearly an hour to put out.
After the fire was extinguished, first responders discovered “at least a dozen gasoline canisters in and around the striking vehicle,” according to the chief.
“Based on the danger level associated with these, the Rochester police department bomb squad and the joint arson task force responded to the scene,” the statement stated.
It’s not known what caused the crash or why the canisters were present.
“We are continuing to work with our federal partners, including the FBI, to learn exactly what led to this crash,” Smith said in a statement.
The FBI’s Buffalo Field Office stated it is aiding Rochester police with their investigation.
“As we continue to investigate and collaborate with our law enforcement partners, details are limited at this time,” the FBI said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Images courtesy of a CNN affiliate In the aftermath of the incident, WHAM shows a highly damaged and burned black SUV halted head-on in front of another car, with scorched red canisters and debris covering the street.
At a news conference on Monday, Rochester Mayor Malik Evans called for patience as the investigation continues, saying, “From a transparency and fact-finding standpoint, it’s very important that we give you the information as we have it.”
Evans expressed his sympathies to the families of those who died and requested the community to pray for the families and those injured.
“I would have liked to stand at this podium and wish everyone a Happy New Year, smile, and share some good news.” “However, we have several individuals whose families’ lives have been altered because they will not be present to usher in 2024,” Evans added.
CNN contacted the Rochester Police Department, Rochester Fire Department, Kodak Center, and Rochester New York FBI for comment but did not receive a response.