Driver charged with crashing box truck near White House

May 22 (UPI) -- The National Park Service on Tuesday identified the man who crashed a vehicle into the security barricade outside of Lafayette Park near the White House as a 19-year-old from Missouri.

Authorities took Sai Varshith Kandula, of Chesterfield, Mo., into custody on Monday and charged him with assault with a dangerous weapon, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, threatening to kill/kidnap/inflict harm on a president, vice president, or family member, destruction of federal property, and trespassing.

The U.S. Secret Service said Kandula was driving a box truck that crashed into the security barricades near the White House. The crash occurred shortly before 10 p.m. on the north side of Lafayette Square at 16th Street.

Anthony Guglielmi, a Secret Service spokesman, said in a statement a preliminary investigation indicates the driver may have intentionally struck the barriers to the iconic square.

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

The Hay-Adams Hotel and the Sofitel near Lafayette Square were evacuated, Fox 5 TV news reported, while the St. Regis Hotel was placed on lockdown.

Video and pictures of the crash posted online show the vehicle involved was a U-Haul truck. WUSA9 reported investigators retrieved from the vehicle what appears to be a Nazi flag.

Roads and pedestrian walkways were closed in the area due to police activity.