Secret Service briefly locks down White House area after car crashes into nearby sign
A sedan struck an informational sign near the White House on Monday, leading to a short lockdown of the White House perimeter while the driver was arrested.
A driver lost control of a sedan and drove onto the sidewalk just north of Lafayette Park at about 10 a.m., where the vehicle collided with an informational sign near the White House. Police ordered the driver to the ground and the Secret Service placed a temporary lockdown around the executive mansion.
At roughly the same time, another individual jumped a security barrier about two blocks away and was also taken into custody by Secret Service agents. The two incidents appeared unrelated, and officials said no one was injured.
Uniformed agents escorted the driver, who was heard shouting, and handcuffed him before moving him down Pennsylvania Avenue. Restrictions on the White House campus were lifted after roughly 20 minutes.
President Trump was inside the White House preparing for meetings, including one with the prime minister of Qatar and UFC executive Dana White. Lafayette Park, a popular spot for visitors, remains fenced following recent security upgrades.