Truck Hits Security Barrier Near White House: Driver Detained, Nazi Flag Found

Illustration Of Police Line Jacob Morch Unsplash

JAKARTA - The United States Secret Service said it had detained the driver of a charter box truck that hit a security barrier near the White House on Monday night, allegedly on purpose, but there were no injuries or threatening hazards.

A Reuters witness, quoted on May 25, said investigators found a Nazi swastika flag that appeared to have come from inside the truck that hit the barrier at badminton Square, which is adjacent to the White House yard.

Officers took the flag and plastic bag of evidence that was placed on the sidewalk after the accident and put it on the back of the U-Haul truck, a photographer said.

"Initial investigations show that the driver allegedly accidentally crashed into the security barrier at badminton Square," Secret Service Communications Chief Anthony Guglielmi wrote on Twitter.

Sementara itu, US Park Police akan mengajukan tuntutan dengan dukungan investigasi dari Secret Service, tambahnya.

The WUSA television broadcast a video of a box-type U-Haul truck stopping next to a row of steel milestones, with law enforcement officers in uniform and a dog approaching the vehicle.

Vehicle collision at Lafayette Square: Roadways and pedestrian walkways are closed as teams investigate. pic.twitter.com/4QqNyRoa0T

— Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) May 23, 2023

Vehicle collision at hot Square: Roadways and pedestrian walks are closed as teams investite. pic.twitter.com/4QqNyRoa0T

A remotely controlled robot opens the back door of the truck, showing a doll but no other cargo is clearly visible.

Chris Zaboji, an eye witness to the accident, uploaded a short video on social media showing the truck crashing into a barricade.

The video has been verified by Reuters. After hitting one time, the driver hit the barricades for the second time, he said.

Zaboji, 25, who is an airline pilot and lives in Washington, said he had just finished jogging at National Mall and was walking home when he heard a loud crash.

"I turned back and saw van U-Haul hit a barricade. I got back behind a man driving a golf cart and took a video on my phone. After I saw him crash again, I didn't want to be near the truck and leave," said Zaboji.

The nearby Hay Adams Hotel was evacuated at the request of the Secret Service, the Washington Post reported, citing a hotel official, while Secret Service said several pedestrian roads and sidewalks around the park were closed.

A spokesman for the Washington Fire Department said a call came in at 9:40 p.m. (01:40 GMT) for what was described as a suspicious package investigation.

It sparked a massive public safety response by Uncle Sam's state authorities, before investigators determined that the contents of the largely empty truck were harmless.

The exact location of President Joe Biden at that time is still unclear. It is known, he met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy at the White House on Monday night.

However, a previous tweet from Secret Service Communications Chief Anthony Guglielmi said no one from the White House or Secret Service was injured.