According to NBC News, it was a white U-Haul van that crashed into the security fence north of Lafayette Square just before 10 pm on May 22. The north facade of the White House faces this square, so this is a place under special security control.
Authorities searched the truck – Photo: REUTERS
US Secret Service Director of Communications Anthony Guglielmi said the same evening: “No Secret Service or White House personnel were injured. The cause and manner of the incident. The accident is still under investigation.”
Guglielmi also wrote on Twitter that the truck was deemed safe by Washington DC police and that “preliminary investigation indicates that the driver may have intentionally crashed into the security fence.”
Footage released by Reuters showed a flag with the Nazi swastika appearing at the scene, which was later recovered by police. Witnesses said it appeared to have come from inside the vehicle.
A swastika flag and several other items from the site, believed to have come off the truck – Photo: REUTERS
The US Park Police will complete the case file with Secret Service investigative assistance.
The neighboring Hay Adams Hotel was evacuated overnight at the request of the Secret Service, but people were allowed to return to the hotel at 1:00 am on May 23.
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