The US Secret Service arrested a suspect after a U-Haul truck crashed into a security gate in Washington, not far from the White House. Authorities are now reportedly on the scene investigating the suspicious package.
The crash happened on the north side of Lafayette Square, which is right next to the White House, around 10 p.m. local time Monday night, according to the Secret Service, which confirmed it had made one arrest.
“No Secret Service or White House employees were injured, and the cause and manner of the crash remain under investigation.” Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement.
A witness later shared footage on Twitter of authorities arresting the driver of the U-Haul truck. They said they initially thought the crash was an accident. “Until U-Haul stepped up and tried to break through the barriers once again.”
Took this photo of the White House and heard a crash right behind me. It appeared that someone might have accidentally crashed until U-Haul backed up and tried to break through the barriers one more time. To the Secret Police Service for quick response and action. pic.twitter.com/qIq3PbBJFj
— Benjamin Berger (@BenB005) May 23, 2023
Police were seen inspecting the truck Monday night, at one point deploying robots to determine if it contained anything dangerous. The local NBC affiliate reported that a “suspicious package” was found at or near a U-Haul, but no other details were released.
Local Fox reporter Marina Maraco reports that several blocks in the area have been closed as authorities investigate, and several hotels have also been evacuated as a precaution. Details about the suspect have not yet been released, and the cause of the plane crash remains unknown. The US Metropolitan Police Department is assisting the Secret Service in the investigation.
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