WASHINGTON — Streets are closed near the U.S. Capitol on Friday morning as the Capitol Police investigate a vehicle that struck the south barricade of the Capitol.
CBS News reports that the car was speeding down Independence Avenue before turning into the barricade at about 8:45 a.m., at a high-enough speed that tire marks were left on the road. The front of the maroon vehicle was crumpled from the impact.
One person was in the vehicle; Antonio Pierorazio, 51, U.S. Capitol Police say.
Capitol Police say that Pierorazio was charged with felony destruction of property and unlawful entry.
CBS News’ Steven Portnoy says Pierorazio lives in Pompano Beach, Florida, and was previously arrested on a charge of criminal mischief for allegedly flashing cars at a dealership in Reading, Pennsylvania. He spent two weeks in jail.
The police say they’ve cleared the car of any hazards and that the vehicle didn’t enter the secure perimeter. They’re not saying whether the crash was deliberate. CBS News reports that no shots were fired. Portnoy says that the car suffered “pretty significant front-end damage.”
Streets were temporarily closed around New Jersey and Independence Avenues; they’ve since reopened.
Nissan Altima with FL plates being searched by Cap Police– car attempted to crash into barricade at Capitol entrance pic.twitter.com/VvqtJevGMr
— Steven Portnoy (@stevenportnoy) July 31, 2015
