Washington: The US Secret Service placed the White House on high alert after a car crashed into an information sign near the presidential residence in Washington. President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time, preparing for meetings.
According to reports, the car mounted the pavement and struck a sign near Lafayette Park, which is located opposite the White House. The vehicle did not reach the White House’s main entrance, which is more than a block away from the crash site.
Following the incident, Secret Service officers instructed journalists to move inside the building. Security personnel ordered the driver to lie on the ground before handcuffing and taking him into custody.
The driver’s identity and the cause of the crash were not immediately known. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Security measures around White House
Lafayette Park is a popular spot for tourists and passers-by, with visitors often gathering there to take photographs of the White House. However, higher barriers have been installed in the area following renovation work during Trump’s presidency.
The newspaper reported in July that the Trump administration was considering installing permanent barriers around Lafayette Square and parts of Pennsylvania Avenue. The proposed measures would allow public areas to be quickly closed in the event of a security threat.
The incident comes amid previous security alerts near the White House. On May 23 this year, two people, including a suspect, were injured in a shooting near the presidential residence. Journalists were temporarily moved inside following the incident.
On May 4, the White House was also briefly placed under lockdown after an armed man exchanged gunfire with Secret Service officers near the Washington Monument.
