By: Chris Zaboji | TMX
The driver of a U-Haul truck was arrested Monday night after allegedly intentionally crashing into the barriers around Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C., across the street from the White House, authorities said.
The collision occurred at around 9:40 p.m., and U.S. Park Police and U.S. Secret Service Uniform Division officers responded to the scene. According to Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi, preliminary investigation indicated the crash was intentional.
UPDATE: Police say they recovered a red, white, and black Nazi flag, a backpack, a notebook.
— Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) May 23, 2023
Police arrested the The U-Haul driver. He has not yet been identified.
Charged after crashing truck into security barriers near White House: police. https://t.co/1vEeM4W0EP pic.twitter.com/RI6h6TuJIw
“There were no injuries to any Secret Service or White House personnel,” Guglielmi said. The truck was searched for explosives and other weapons and “deemed safe,” Guglielmi said.
The driver, identified by U.S. Park Police as 19-year-old Sai Varshith Kandula of Chesterfield, Mo., allegedly made threatening statements about President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, per reports.
According to Park Police, Kandula was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon; reckless operation of a motor vehicle; threatening to kill, kidnap, inflict harm on a president, vice president, or family member; destruction of federal property; and trespassing.