U.S. authorities have charged a truck driver from Missouri after he collided with security barriers near the White House. Officials believe the incident may have been intentional, but have not disclosed a motive behind the accident, which resulted in no injuries. The driver, Sai Varshith Kandula (19), from Chesterfield, Missouri, was arrested by the U.S. Secret Service.
The police stated that Kandula is facing charges of making threats to kill or kidnap, or causing harm to the President, Vice President, or their immediate family. A spokesperson for the U.S. Secret Service announced the truck driver's arrest following the crash into security barriers at Lafayette Square, close to the White House.
The Secret Service indicated that "the police determined the truck did not pose a threat," adding that "charges would be filed against the driver, and the Secret Service would assist in the investigations." Anthony Guglielmi, a communications official for the Secret Service, noted on Twitter that "no injuries occurred to any Secret Service personnel or White House staff," and the cause and circumstances of the crash are still under investigation.
Guglielmi tweeted that "the driver may have collided with the security barriers intentionally." A witness from Reuters reported that investigators found a flag bearing a Nazi insignia, a swastika, inside the truck involved in the collision at Lafayette Square, which is adjacent to the White House. The Secret Service also mentioned that some roadways and pedestrian walkways have been closed.
Fox 5 News reported that the nearby "Hay Adams" hotel was evacuated.
