For the third time in the past 12 months, a motorist has crashed into the gates of the White House. The incident, which resulted in the death of the driver, occurred on Saturday.
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The authorities characterized the crash as a traffic accident, not a politically motivated act.
In a statement posted on X, Secret Service spokesman Andrew Guglielmi explained the incident.
Shortly before 10:30pm on May 4th, a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed collided with an outer perimeter gate on the White House complex. Security protocols were implemented as officers cleared the vehicle and attempted to render aid to the driver who was discovered deceased. There was no threat to the White House. The fatal crash portion of this will be turned over to the Washington Metropolitan Police Department Crash Investigation Unit and the Secret Service investigation continues.
The crash seems to have occurred at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and the southeast corner of the facility.
A similar incident happened in January when another driver crashed into the gate. He was not killed in the collision.
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In May 2023, a motorist named Sai Varshith Kandula slammed through the White House’s security barriers in a U-Haul truck.
On Monday night just before 10 pm, a driver of a U-Haul truck crashed through security barriers near the White House in Washington, D.C. The collision occurred on the north side of Lafayette Square at 16th Street. The vehicle’s driver has been detained by the Secret Service and video has emerged of what appears to be a Nazi swastika flag being pulled from the truck.
The Hay-Adams and Sofitel hotels were evacuated, while the St. Regis hotel was put on lockdown. Nearby BLM Plaza was also shut down.
The Secret Service put out a statement that there were no personnel injuries to any Secret Service or White House officials and that the cause and manner of the crash remain under investigation.
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The driver faced multiple charges, including threatening to kill, kidnap, or inflict harm on a president, vice president, or family member and it was believed the collision was intentional.
The driver also was also arrested on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, destruction of federal property and trespassing, according to the Park Police.
A search of the vehicle following the incident yielded no explosives or other incendiary devices.
The three incidents occurring over the span of one year raise concerning questions about the effectiveness of White House security.