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Capitol Police Officer Injured in Car Crash

Police carry out controlled demolition of suspicious vehicle’s trunk

Capitol Police investigate at the scene of an incident in March in which a Capitol Police officer fired shots at a woman who rammed a police cruiser. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Capitol Police investigate at the scene of an incident in March in which a Capitol Police officer fired shots at a woman who rammed a police cruiser. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

By ANDREW BREINER and BRIDGET BOWMAN, CQ Roll Call

A Capitol Police officer sustained minor injuries Monday after a car crashed into a USCP vehicle near the Library of Congress. The driver of the car was also injured. A Capitol Police spokeswoman said there is currently no evidence that the incident was related to terrorism.

USCP spokeswoman Eva Malecki said in a statement that around 11:45 a.m., a vehicle crashed into a Capitol Police cruiser at the corner of Independence Ave. and 2nd St. Southeast. The intersection is between the Library of Congress’ Jefferson and Madison buildings.

Malecki said the driver and a Capitol Police officer were transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The officer has been released from the hospital.

Capitol Police investigated the vehicle, which included “disrupting its trunk” twice through as a “routine precaution,” Malecki said. The disruption was reportedly done by a type of detonation, and the vehicle was cleared.

“There is no evidence to indicate any nexus to terrorism at this time,” Malecki said.

Social media posts documented a “controlled explosion” at the vehicle.
recurse

House staff was alerted just before 2 p.m., and shortly after 2:30 p.m. that there would be a loud noise associated with the disruption including a “bang or pop,” according to notices sent to congressional staff. 

Malecki said the suspect has been charged with a felony charge of assaulting a police officer as well as assault with a deadly weapon/vehicle, aggravated reckless driving, and no valid permit.

The District of Columbia alert system sent a notice at 3:45 that some surrounding streets remained closed, including 2nd Street, from East Capitol Street to C Street SE. Independence Ave. also remained closed between 2nd and 3rd Street SE.

Jennifer Shutt and Jael Holzman contributed to this report.

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