Truck crashes into barriers near White House as driver arrested

A truck driver has been arrested after crashing into security barriers near the White House.

A preliminary investigation revealed the driver “may have intentionally struck the security barriers at Lafayette Square” in Washington DC, said Anthony Guglielmia, a spokesperson for the US Secret Service.

There were no injuries to any Secret Service or White House personnel, he added.

A video posted on social media showed a U-Haul truck slamming into the barriers from a short distance.

The person who posted the footage said it was the second time the vehicle had hit the barriers.

Following the crash, a remote-controlled robot opened the truck’s rear doors, which revealed a trolley but no other obvious equipment.

Mr Guglielmia tweeted: “Charges will be filed by the United States Park Police with investigative support from the #SecretService.”

The nearby Hay Adams hotel was evacuated at the request of the Secret Service.