Authorities have closed off streets near the US Capitol after a car drove erratically onto the Constitution Avenue sidewalk. Police said the vehicle was seen driving “erratically” onto the sidewalk, sparking a major shutdown of the surrounding streets, per the US Sun.
Authorities urge people to stay away from the area as they investigate the incident. Footage taken around 10:00 am on Wednesday shows a large police presence around the car and a person being led away.
“Before 10 am, our officers spotted a car that had been driving along the sidewalk, near Peace Circle, and into the grassy area near Third Street, NW, & Constitution Avenue,” Capitol Police said in a statement.
“Officers took the man into custody. Please continue to avoid the area while we investigate the car.”
“Our bomb squad cleared the car and declared that it is safe,” it added.
Heightened security is already in place in preparation for former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral service as well as Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration.
In a subsequent statement, authorities disclosed that the man was taken into custody at 11:43 a.m. on suspicion of reckless driving. Residents are advised to continue avoiding the area while police investigate.
The incident comes on the heels of a terror attack in New Orleans where a man drove his car into a crowd celebrating New Year’s Eve on Bourbon Street, as well as the explosion of a cybertruck near Donald Trump’s hotel in Las Vegas.
The nation remains on high alert as authorities warn people to stay vigilant.