Tragedy Strikes New Year's Celebration: FBI Investigates Fiery Crash at Rochester Concert

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the FBI has launched an investigation into a horrifying incident that unfolded as a New Year's concert concluded in Rochester, New York. The celebratory atmosphere took a somber twist when two vehicles collided, careening into a crowd, resulting in the loss of two lives and leaving five others injured.

As the clock struck midnight and thousands of revelers streamed out of the Kodak Center, joy turned to sorrow in the early hours of Monday. Rochester Police Chief David Smith revealed that the fatal collision occurred at approximately 12:50 a.m. when a Ford SUV collided with a Mitsubishi Outlander exiting a nearby parking lot. The impact propelled both vehicles through a crosswalk, tragically striking pedestrians who were making their way from the venue.

The Mitsubishi's passengers bore the brunt of the collision, with two losing their lives, while the driver was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The Ford's driver also suffered severe injuries, described as life-threatening by Chief Smith. Additionally, three pedestrians were taken to the hospital, one in critical condition.

Chief Smith noted that the crash triggered a fire that took nearly an hour for firefighters to extinguish. Upon extinguishing the flames, the discovery of gasoline canisters around the impacted vehicle raised concerns. A dozen such canisters were found, prompting the intervention of the Rochester police department bomb squad and the joint arson task force.

The circumstances leading to the crash remain unclear, as does the reason behind the presence of the canisters. Chief Smith emphasized ongoing collaboration with federal partners, including the FBI, to unravel the details.

Images captured by CNN affiliate WHAM depict a charred and heavily damaged black SUV, surrounded by debris and red canisters. The FBI's Buffalo Field Office is actively aiding the Rochester police in their investigation, with details still emerging.

Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, speaking at a news conference, urged patience during the ongoing investigation and expressed condolences to the affected families. Despite the tragedy, he emphasized transparency in providing information to the public.

The band moe., which had performed at the venue just before the crash, conveyed their shock and sadness in a Facebook statement. On what should have been a night of celebration, the band expressed disbelief at the unforeseen tragedy, extending heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and thoughts to those injured.

As the community grapples with the aftermath, CNN's attempts to gather comments from the Rochester Police Department, the Rochester Fire Department, the Kodak Center, and the Rochester New York FBI have yet to yield responses. The investigation continues, and the city of Rochester mourns the loss of lives that will forever alter the dawn of 2024.