Update: This article has been updated to reflect the latest information as of Monday morning about the suspect allegedly involved in the accident.
A car smashed into a parked SUV that was part of President Joe Biden’s motorcade outside of his Delaware campaign headquarters Sunday night, according to 6abc. Police reportedly arrested the driver of the car Monday.
Video footage of the incident circulated on Twitter as reporters had been waiting for Biden and first lady Jill Biden to leave the campaign office right before the incident occurred. A silver sedan smashed into a black SUV belonging to the U.S. Secret Service, according to 6abc.
BREAKING: Clearer footage of the Presidential motorcade incident. According to pool reporters, the driver of the car the crashed was cooperating with Secret Service Agents. You can see a startled President Biden being quickly ushered into his SUV. pic.twitter.com/qdv5vWOXVX
— Breaking 4 News (@Breaking_4_News) December 18, 2023
In the footage released by Breaking 4 News, a person could be heard yelling a question about the upcoming 2024 elections, before a vehicle is heard crashing off-camera. The president can then be seen looking towards the incident in shock and rushed into his car by Secret Service members before the camera pivots to the crash.
The footage shows a clear picture of the incident, including the Secret Service surrounding the silver sedan and demanding that the driver show his hands. The Secret Service had their weapons drawn on the driver, 6abc reported.
The Secret Service car was being used to close off intersections near the headquarters prior to Biden’s departure, the outlet reported. (RELATED: Woman Who Flipped Bird To Trump Motorcade Fired)
Wilmington police identified the alleged driver Monday as James Cooper, 46, of Wilmington, Delaware, according to ABC7. Local authorities said the man was charged with driving under the influence and inattentive driving and added that the incident has been ruled an accident, the outlet reported.
White House pool report says car crashed into a Biden motorcade vehicle blocking off road. President and First Lady were leaving a dinner with campaign staff when the crash happened. Secret service moved, weapons drawn, to the driver who put his hands in the air. @9NewsAUS https://t.co/6fcCkya2xH
— Jonathan Kearsley (@jekearsley) December 18, 2023
The first lady was already in the vehicle as Biden was rushed in immediately after the incident was heard, according to the outlet. Both the president and first lady are unharmed, 6abc reported.