Car crashes near White House, two arrested in separate incidents

Summarised from 5 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 9 Nov, 17:08 · Archive

A vehicle crashed near the White House on Monday morning, prompting a lockdown and two arrests in separate incidents.

A vehicle crashed onto the sidewalk on the north side of Lafayette Square Park, just north of the White House, on Monday morning before 10 a.m. The silver sedan struck a sign or barrier in the area, with video footage showing smoke rising from the engine. The Secret Service and National Guard responded to the scene.

The driver was described by authorities as 'combative' with law enforcement but was quickly placed under arrest. Video circulating on social media showed an individual being ordered to the ground and escorted away, shouting as he was led from the scene. It was not immediately clear what caused the crash or the identity of the driver.

Around the same time as the car crash, a second individual jumped a security barricade near the northwest corner of Lafayette Park, at Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street. That person was also quickly arrested. The Secret Service said it was unclear whether the two incidents were connected.

President Trump was at the White House at the time, preparing for meetings. The incident triggered a temporary lockdown of the executive mansion, with the Secret Service ordering journalists indoors to the briefing room in the West Wing. Reporters were later released after the immediate threat had passed.

The Metropolitan Police Department's Explosive Ordinance Disposal team was called to sweep the vehicle as a precaution. Roads around Lafayette Park were subsequently closed. The Secret Service stated that both incidents remain under investigation.

The arrests come days after authorities arrested an individual described by the Department of Homeland Security as an illegal immigrant from Venezuela outside the White House on Thursday. That person was found in a stolen vehicle carrying multiple guns and allegedly told officers he had heard voices telling him to travel to Washington and kill Trump.

How it is being reported

• Secret Service arrests two after car crash and barricade breach outside White HouseSecret Service officials arrested two people outside the White House in separate incidents on Monday near Lafayette Square Park. Video from the park circulating on social media showed a vehicle that appeared to run into a barrier, with the engine emitting smoke. "Just before 10:00 a.m., Secret…Fox News · 9 Nov, 16:43
• Man arrested outside White House after crashing vehicle into Lafayette Square ParkPolice arrested two individuals in separate incidents near the White House on Monday morning. The Secret Service has launched investigations into both.Fox News · 9 Nov, 16:43
• Car crash near White House sparks lockdown and Secret Service responseThe driver appeared to clash with the National Guard, the US military force (Picture: Martin Austermuhle) A car has crashed near the White House in Washington, DC. The silver sedan smashed into a security barrier on the north end of Lafayette Square Park, facing the North Lawn of the presidential…Metro · 9 Nov, 16:36
• Arrests after car crash near White House and person tries to jump barricadeTwo people have been arrested after a car crashed into a security barrier near the White House, and one person tried to jump a barricade in the same area.Sky News · 9 Nov, 15:57
• Secret Service puts White House on lockdown after car rams through secure area with Trump home in DCPresident Trump at the White House today preparing for meetings.New York Post · 9 Nov, 15:46
• US Secret Service orders reporters inside White House after suspect crashes car near North Lawn with Trump on premisesAn individual crashed their car into a park just north of the White House on Monday morning, sending the executive mansion into a temporary lockdown.Daily Mail · 9 Nov, 15:21

In this story: White House · Lafayette Square Park · Secret Service · National Guard · Donald Trump · Washington, DC

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log