According to police, a man who crashed a U-Haul truck carrying a Nazi flag near the White House has been apprehended and charged with attempting to kill or hurt the president.

The motorist reportedly purposefully drove into bollards outside Lafayette Park shortly before 10:00 p.m. (0200 GMT) on Monday, according to US Park Police, who added that no one was wounded.

A red and black swastika banner was discovered after a police examination of the truck, according to television footage.

According to White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre, President Joe Biden was briefed on the issue Tuesday morning.


"He's pleased that no one suffered injuries last night and thankful to the agents and police officers who responded so quickly," she said to reporters.

The driver of the vehicle in question was identified as Sai Varshith Kandula, 19, of Chesterfield, Missouri, according to a statement issued by the Park Police on Tuesday.

According to the charge sheet, he was charged with "assault with a dangerous instrument, reckless driving a motor vehicle, making threats to kill/kidnap/inflict harm on the president, vice president, or relatives, destruction of government property, and trespassing."


According to a local Fox News affiliate, some guests at a neighboring hotel were instructed to leave following the collision.

A station journalist shared video from the scene showing a robot checking the truck's cargo section.