NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Niagara Falls Police plan to subpoena Bentley Motors to request any black box information related to the deadly crash and explosion on Nov. 22 at the Rainbow Bridge.
A City of Niagara Falls spokesperson confirmed that information which was first reported by the Buffalo News Friday night.
Erin Bonner, a spokesperson for Bentley USA, said in a statement to 2 On Your Side:
“Our thoughts remain with the family of the occupants of the car, and we are working with the authorities to help with their investigations. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage," Bonner said.
Kurt Villani was driving, with his wife Monica as a passenger, when their 2022 Bentley Flying Spur crashed into a customs booth.
A subpoena would legally compel the carmaker to share whatever information was sent by the car's onboard computer or "black box" in the moments before it crashed.
Lauren Fix from Car Coach reports explained why it could be useful to Niagara Falls Police who have focused their investigation on a mechanical issue.
"The black box collects a lot of information it will tell you where the accelerator was depressed and how much. Was it 10 percent? Was it to the floor? How quickly it was applied? It also goes with the brake pedal," Fix said.
Bentley has thus far been unwilling to give up the information voluntarily hence the subpoena.
"I understand why Bentley would want to get their hands on it the reason for that is liability. If they have no recalls or technical service bulletins or any sort of impact that says there was an unintended acceleration they need to back that up from a legal standpoint," said Fix.
One complicating factor will be whether the black box has any readable information on it because after crashing, the car burst into flames leaving very little behind.
Niagara Falls won't know however until Bentley gets involved.