White House locked after driver hits guardrail – NBC4 Washington

The White House was on lockdown Monday morning after a driver crashed into a guardrail in Lafayette Park and someone jumped over a White House barricade at a different location around the same time, authorities said.

The Washington Police Department bomb squad searched the car as a precaution and determined it was safe.

Secret Service agents ordered reporters to remain in the West Wing briefing room.

Video shot by Martin Austermühle of the Washington Sun shows a silver sedan smoking on a brick walkway just north of the White House.

Secret Service agents appear to be speaking with the driver while National Guard troops are nearby.

“Get on the ground!” Someone is heard screaming as the driver collides with police.

“The driver was combative with law enforcement but was quickly placed under arrest,” the secret service said in a statement.

It was not immediately clear why the driver crashed.

“Around the same time, a second individual jumped a barricade near the northwest corner of Lafayette Park. This individual was also quickly placed under arrest,” the Secret Service said.

The person who jumped over a barricade did so a few steps away, at Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street, a source close to the investigation said.

The White House was closed for approximately 30 minutes before normal operations resumed.

The driver was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, related to the vehicle, and assault on a police officer, a source familiar with the matter said. The person who jumped over the barricade was charged with illegal entry, the source said.

Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.



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