An individual crashed a vehicle into the White House estate barricades, prompting a lockdown of the area for a police investigation. The incident occurred around 10:30 pm on Tuesday night (3:30 am Wednesday in the UK), as seen in a shared social media image showing the vehicle near Donald Trump’s residency.
Authorities have arrested the driver and are currently assessing the vehicle. Specific details about the suspect, including age and origin, have not been disclosed yet.
This event coincides with a significant $250 million renovation project at the White House initiated by Donald Trump. Construction crews have begun demolishing the East Wing to build a massive 90,000 sqft ballroom capable of accommodating nearly 1000 people.
The Secret Service has confirmed that President Trump was present at the White House during the incident, but his residence was not placed on lockdown. The road leading to the gate will remain closed until the vehicle is removed.
Last year, a driver died after crashing into the White House perimeter gate, which was investigated as a traffic accident with no threat to the president’s residence. The collision occurred at the security barrier at the intersection of 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
The security breach took place near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, resulting in a lockdown of the surrounding area and temporary disruption to traffic and access in the northwest region of Washington DC. The driver was promptly apprehended at the scene, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.
The incident has sparked concerns among Washington residents, with some emphasizing the importance of safety during the lockdown. Secret Service members are actively patrolling the White House vicinity following the breach.
Authorities have confirmed that an individual drove a vehicle into the Secret Service vehicle gate near the White House, leading to the driver’s immediate arrest. The vehicle was inspected and deemed safe by investigators. Further details about the crash, driver identity, and motive are yet to be disclosed.