A driver was taken into custody Tuesday evening after crashing a vehicle into a Secret Service security barrier at the White House, federal authorities confirmed.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:37 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21, when an individual drove directly into the Secret Service vehicle gate situated at the intersection of 17th and E Street, Northwest, in Washington, D.C.
Secret Service officials responded immediately to the security breach at one of the nation’s most heavily protected locations.
“On Tuesday, October 21 at approximately 10:37 p.m., an individual drove his vehicle into the Secret Service vehicle gate located at 17th and E St, NW, DC,” a Secret Service spokesperson confirmed in an official statement.
U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division officers arrested the driver without delay following the collision with the barricade.
The vehicle underwent a thorough safety assessment by both Secret Service personnel and officers from the Metropolitan Police Department.
“The individual was immediately arrested by U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division officers, and the vehicle was assessed by Secret Service and the Metropolitan Police Department and deemed safe,” the statement added.
Authorities determined that the vehicle posed no threat to public safety after completing their examination, Fox News reported.
The Secret Service indicated that further details regarding the incident will be released once investigators complete their work.
A spokesperson noted that additional information will be provided upon conclusion of the investigation.
DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services also arrived at the scene to support the federal investigation.
Fox News received confirmation from DC Fire and EMS that their personnel assisted the Secret Service with the investigation before departing the area.
The emergency response teams began clearing the scene after completing their assessment duties.
The incident happened soon after the Secret Service discovered a suspicious hunting stand positioned with a direct line of sight to the location where President Donald Trump exits Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport.
Secret Service agents located the stand on Thursday during routine security preparations, Resist the Mainstream previously reported.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has assumed the lead role in investigating the discovery.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that investigators have not yet linked the hunting stand to any specific individual.
“Prior to the President’s return to West Palm Beach, USSS discovered what appeared to be an elevated hunting stand within sight line of the Air Force One landing zone,” Patel said.
“The FBI has since taken the investigatory lead, flying in resources to collect all evidence from the scene, and deploying our cell phone analytics capabilities,” he explained.
Anthony Guglielmi, the Secret Service’s chief of communications, verified that his organization is collaborating closely with both the FBI and Palm Beach County law enforcement agencies.
He noted that the hunting stand was found during advance security preparations before the President’s scheduled arrival.
“There was no impact to any movements, and no individuals were present or involved at the location,” Guglielmi stated.
