Early Tuesday morning, a vehicle collided with a security entrance at the White House complex, according to an official statement from the United States Secret Service.
The incident occurred at approximately 4:30 a.m. at a security checkpoint located at 15th and E Streets NW. This location is situated on the east side of the White House grounds, in close proximity to the White House Visitor Center.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the car crash.
In a statement released the following day, U.S. Secret Service Spokesperson Steve Kopek provided further details, clarifying that the driver had struck a security bollard at the White House checkpoint. Importantly, Kopek stated that preliminary investigations suggest the actions “were not targeted towards the White House Complex,” indicating the crash may not have been intentional.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as 48-year-old Roy Bowden. Following the incident, Bowden was arrested and faces charges including driving under the influence (DUI) and unlawful entry.
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, security measures were visibly increased around the White House as law enforcement officials conducted a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event.
This recent event is not an isolated incident. In May 2022, a similar car crash involving security barriers near the White House took place. In that prior incident, two juveniles were injured after crashing a stolen vehicle into a concrete security barrier on the western side of the White House grounds, as confirmed by the Secret Service in a previous statement.
This remains a developing story, and further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
