Driver detained after truck crashes into square near the White House

WASHINGTON >> Federal law enforcement authorities detained the driver of a box truck who has been charged with crashing the vehicle into security barriers near the White House late Monday in what appeared to be an intentional act.

The driver, Sai Varshith Kandula, 19, of Chesterfield, Missouri, exited the box truck with a Nazi flag, which was later seen on the ground near the crash, according to Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service. A law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation said no weapons were found inside the truck. No one was injured.

U.S. Park Police said Kandula has been arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, threatening to kill or kidnap or harm a president, vice president or family member, the destruction of federal property and trespassing.

Officers with the Secret Service and Park Police responded to the incident at about 9:40 p.m. Monday. The truck crashed into security barriers along Lafayette Square, a leafy park near the White House.

According to the Park Police, the early investigation indicated that the truck was intentionally crashed into the security barriers.

Chesterfield, where Kandula is from, is a suburb west of St. Louis. According to the Rockwood School District, Kandula graduated from Marquette Senior High School in 2022. While he was there, he was involved in the student council during his sophomore year and the boy's tennis team during his sophomore and junior years, the school district's spokesperson, Mary LaPak, said.

The Chesterfield Police Department said it has no record of interaction with Kandula, according to an official there.