World News | Teen accused of intentionally crashing U-Haul truck into security barrier at park near White House

WASHINGTON, May 23 (AP) — Police have arrested a Missouri man they believe deliberately rammed a U-Haul truck into a security barrier in a park across from the White House.

Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement that the driver of the van crashed into a guardrail near the north side of Lafayette Square around 10 p.m. Monday. He has been identified as Sai Varshith Kandula, 19, of Chesterfield, a suburb of St. Louis.

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No one was injured in the accident.

Witness Chris Zaboji said the driver hit the barrier at least twice. Zaboji, a 25-year-old pilot who lives in Washington, was finishing a run near Lafayette Square when he heard the loud crash of a U-Haul truck hitting a guardrail. He said he pulled out his phone and filmed the moment the truck hit the barrier again before he heard sirens approaching.

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“When the van backed up and hit it again, I decided to get out of there,” he said.

The truck was searched by Secret Service and Metropolitan Police officers following the crash.

Video released by WUSA-TV shows an officer at the scene picking up and counting several pieces of evidence from the truck, including a Nazi flag.

Guglielmi said that based on preliminary investigations, investigators believe the driver “may have intentionally hit the security barrier at Lafayette Square.” Authorities did not provide further details on possible motives.

U.S. Park Police said Candura was arrested on multiple charges, including threatening to kill, kidnap or injure the president, vice president or their family members; assault with a dangerous weapon; reckless driving; damaging federal property; and trespassing.

Candura’s attorney is not listed in court records, multiple phone numbers listed by his last name in public records are out of service, and attempts by The Associated Press on Tuesday to reach relatives who could speak on his behalf were not immediately successful.

Lafayette Square, perhaps the place that offers the public the best view of the White House, has long been one of the most famous demonstration sites in the United States.

The park was closed for nearly a year after federal authorities fenced off the area amid nationwide protests against police following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, but the The park reopens in May 2021.

U-Haul is a Phoenix-based mobile truck, trailer and self storage rental company. (AP)

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