The driver of a truck that crashed into security barriers near the White House last night has been identified. His name is Sai Varshith Kandula. He is a 19-year-old from Missouri. He was arrested on multiple charges, including threatening to kill or harm a president, vice president or family member, officials said.
U.S. Park Police said: “On May 22 at approximately 9:40 p.m., United States Park Police and United States Secret Service Uniform Division officers responded to the 1600 block of H Street NW for a truck that the preliminary investigation indicates intentionally crashed into the bollards on the outside of Lafayette Park.
“The driver of the vehicle was identified as Sai Varshith Kandula, 19, of Chesterfield, Missouri. Kandula was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, threatening to kill / kidnap / inflict harm on a president, vice president, or family member, destruction of federal property, and trespassing. No further information is available at this time.”
Authorities said Kandula “intentionally crashed” into the bollards outside Lafayette Park and bizarrely a Nazi flag was seized by authorities at the scene.
“There were no injuries to any Secret Service or White House personnel and the cause and manner of the crash remain under investigation,” Anthony Guglielmi, the Secret Service chief of communications, said.
The Hay-Adams hotel was evacuated at the request of the Secret Service when the incident occurred, but people were allowed back in when the scene was deemed safe.
According to NBC:
The Reuters news agency published an image showing a Nazi-style red flag emblazoned with a swastika laid on the ground beside the van.
Reuters, citing its own photographer on the scene and a witness, reported that this and other pieces of evidence apparently taken from the truck had been placed on the sidewalk and were then seized by officers.
Authorities have not commented on the flag. NBC News has reached out to the Secret Service for comment.
Video footage later showed a robot opening the back of the truck, which appeared to be empty.
Breaking News: I have a very reliable tip that the driver of the U-haul that crashed into Lafayette Square near the White House gate is Sai Varshith Kandula. This pic is from his Missouri Driver’s License. pic.twitter.com/XNLmN9l39J
— Karol Markowicz (@karol) May 23, 2023
UPDATES 🚨 Driver detained after crashing into barrier near White House https://t.co/26HxPpg6s1
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) May 23, 2023
A few years ago, there was a movement among South Asians to reclaim the swastika as a symbol of peace. Will be interesting if that’s the story Kandula goes with for why he had the flag. https://t.co/1aP7ABAJLi
— Karol Markowicz (@karol) May 23, 2023
