Washington DC: The White House was placed under temporary lockdown on Monday morning (Washington DC time) after a car crashed into a signpost in Lafayette Square, just across from President Donald Trump’s residence.
Trump was at the White House when the crash occurred.
The driver, who got into a physical confrontation with Secret Service officers and National Guard troops, was detained.
A video on social media platforms shows a silver sedan driving onto the paved area at the northern end of Lafayette Square and hitting a signpost. White smoke is seen rising from the vehicle following the collision.
Car crashes into sign near White House, prompting lockdown https://t.co/6tZnzdYSjx
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At around 10 am local time, the US Secret Service instructed members of the White House press corps to move indoors and remain there as security personnel responded to the incident.
Though the driver was taken into custody later, details about his identity, circumstances leading to the crash and a possible motive were not immediately available.
Lafayette Square, located directly across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, is a prominent public space near the presidential complex. The crash prompted immediate security response in the area, leading to temporary restrictions around the White House.
