Fiery Rochester crash appears intentional, but no evidence of terrorism, officials say

A fatal New Year's Day crash and explosion in Rochester, New York, appears to be intentional, police said Tuesday, and the driver suspected of causing the crash has died.

Police and the FBI said the driver of a Ford Expedition SUV crashed into a smaller Mitsubishi Outlander at about 1 a.m. on Monday, careening into pedestrians and hitting two other vehicles before erupting in a ball of flames that took almost an hour to extinguish. One of the vehicles involved was carrying at least a dozen gasoline cans.

Two adults in the Outlander were pronounced dead on the scene and a third person was injured, Rochester Police Capt. Ryan Tauriello said. Several pedestrians were also injured.

Police identified the two who died at the scene as Justina Hughes, 28, of Geneva, Ontario County and Joshua Orr, 29, of Webster. They were attending a Grateful Dead tribute band concert at The Kodak Center before their death, according to Orr's family.

At least 9 pedestrians were also injured.

The driver who investigators believe caused the crash, 35-year-old Michael Avery of Syracuse, died at the hospital that night, Rochester Police Chief David Smith said at a news conference Tuesday morning. Rochester Police Chief David Smith on Tuesday said it appeared that Avery intentionally drove into a crowd of pedestrians outside the venue.

FBI Special Agent Jeremy Bell, who leads the Rochester field office, said the crash has not been linked to any sort of domestic or international terrorist plot. The FBI is among the agencies assisting police with the investigation.

On Tuesday, Rochester police said they have "profound sympathy to the family and friends of these two young people whose sudden and untimely passing has left a deep and thoughtful effect on all of us."

What happened in the crash?

Investigators say the crash happened on West Ridge Road near the Kodak Center just after a concert by the band Moe ended. The Ford Expedition, traveling west, crashed into the Mitsubishi Outlander, which was leaving the theater parking lot.

The force of the collision caused the cars to "go through a group of pedestrians at the crosswalk" in front of the theater, Smith said.

Nine pedestrians were struck, Smith said Tuesday, an increase from earlier reports of the number of injured because more victims came forward. One of the injured pedestrians was in critical condition; the others had injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Crash was intentional, police believe

Smith said that it appeared that Avery intentionally drove into a crowd of pedestrians outside the venue but that it did not appear his actions were politically motivated and he acted alone, he said.

Smith said that in speaking with Avery's family, police learned Avery appeared to be suffering from some undiagnosed mental health struggles.

Avery drove to Monroe County on Dec. 27 and was staying at a hotel in Greece, New York, about 4 miles from the Kodak Center.

Over the next few days, Smith said, Avery rented a Ford Expedition from a car rental agency at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport, and he made at least a half dozen purchases of gasoline and gas canisters from locations throughout Monroe and Ontario counties.

No suicide note or journals were recovered from Avery’s hotel room or from his personal vehicle, which was left at the airport’s parking garage, Smith said.

"Investigators are still combing through evidence recovered from his vehicle, but nothing thus far has been recovered that provides any additional insight into the why of this occurred," Smith said.

Who were the victims?

Orr and Hughes were best friends, according to their families.

Orr's family remembered him as "a beautiful, generous human, filled with love and positivity and an advocate for those struggling with mental health."

He left behind his family, girlfriend and his dog Eddie, according to the family.

"On New Year’s Eve Josh was doing his favorite thing in the world, attending a Grateful Dead tribute band when he was taken from us," they wrote. "Josh is a hero and saved countless lives from being taken away from our community."

Hughes's family remembered her as a "beautiful free spirit" who "had an old soul and cared deeply for her family and friends."

"She was a talented artist who loved nature, and took every opportunity to hike a new trail and find a new waterfall," they wrote. "And oh how she loved music. It was the passion that gave her the most joy. We take peace in knowing that Justina and her very best friend, Josh, spent their last moments together, enjoying their passion and friendship. "

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rochester crash and explosion appear intentional; no link to terrorism