Police identify couple in Rainbow Bridge crash

GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. — Niagara Falls Police have identified the couple involved in the fiery crash at the Rainbow Bridge on Wednesday. 

They are identified as Kurt P. Villani, 53, and his wife, Monica Villani, 53, both of Grand Island New York.

Niagara Falls Police say it will be a very complicated investigation for them to determine the exact cause of the fiery crash that killed the couple. 

Many people on Grand Island say they knew the couple and they spoke to Channel 2 on Thursday about the couple and their well-known ties to the community.

At a Thanksgiving morning gathering of members of the Niagara Sailing Club on Grand Island, following their morning 5K charity walk, their time together was tempered by the realization that two of their friends and supporters had been lost in that terrible crash on the Rainbow Bridge.

The shock set in for these Grand Island residents as word spread.

Scott Henderson, who is the club treasurer, told 2 On Your Side: “Not only were people talking, but then I made an announcement, and some people were just incredibly shocked. It’s just not only a younger couple like that, but so ingrained and influential in this community.”

Chuck Meyer, who is a close friend and neighbor, sadly pointed out: “I got home yesterday (Wednesday). I didn’t know anything other than hearing things on the news about the border, and then saw that their driveway was filled up with all these cars. I thought, ‘Oh, they’re having Christmas or Thanksgiving early, and like, that’s really nice.’ And then about an hour later, heard the news and I’m like, oh my God.”

Mary Meyer described the couple as very good neighbors and kind friends.

“It’s really shock and devastation and it’s just gut wrenching really, really. They were so loved,” Meyer said. “They were so generous and kind and always willing to help.

“You know, just plowing everybody’s driveway for the love of it, you know what I mean? Just always willing to help and lend a hand. Always. always, always. They were just so very, kind wonderful people.”

Chuck Meyer added: “Without ever being asked, they would just be giving and gifting, and that’s the type of people we lost.”

Recipients of their generous giving included the Boys and Girls Clubs of Niagara Falls and the Northtowns, along with one of their favorite hometown places. That would be the Niagara Sailing Clubhouse, which was heavily damaged by a March 2021 fire.

Henderson says it was rebuilt largely thanks to this couple’s contributions through their business and personal donations.

“Without those folks we would have never, never been able to this extent rebuild this beautiful club,” Henderson said.