WASHINGTON — A driver died after a vehicle crashed into an outer perimeter gate of the White House complex, and the incident late Saturday was being investigated as a traffic crash, police said. President Joe Biden was spending the weekend in Delaware, and the Secret Service said there was no threat to the White House.
The male driver, who was not immediately identified, was found dead in the vehicle following the crash shortly before 10:30 p.m., according to a Secret Service statement.
The Metropolitan Police Department said the vehicle crashed into a security barrier at the intersection of 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Police were called to the scene at 10:46 p.m. and said one adult male was pronounced dead from the crash into a security barrier around the complex.
In a statement, the Secret Service confirmed the crash, but said officers cleared the vehicle and attempted to render aid to the driver. The full statement is available here:
"Shortly before 10:30pm on May 4th, a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed collided with an outer perimeter gate on the White House complex. Security protocols were implemented as officers cleared the vehicle and attempted to render aid to the driver who was discovered deceased. The was no threat to the White House. The fatal crash portion of this will be turned over to the Washington Metropolitan Department Crash Investigation Unit and the Secret Service investigation continues."
The Secret Service said security protocols were put in place and that there was no threat to the White House. The Secret Service and police will continue to investigate.