Driver Crashed Into House Of Representatives Building Ahead Of George Santos Expulsion Debate

Screenshot: NBC News Washington

A Florida-plated Acura driven by 28-year old Kevin Simon crashed headlong into a barricade on Capitol Hill Thursday morning just before 8 a.m. At the same time Representative George Santos held a press conference in advance of the debate and vote taking place deciding his fate in the House. Law enforcement officers told local news that there was no immediate connection between the two events, but the driver was “acting delirious and combative” at the time of the incident.

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Arrested and charged with reckless driving, resisting arrest, and leaving after collision, according to a statement from police on the morning of Thursday, November 30. The driver received minor injuries and was taken to the hospital for evaluation. According to eyewitnesses, the white Acura TLX exited I-395 northbound at a high rate of speed, collided with two cars, and continued on toward the barricade at South Capitol and D streets before slamming headlong into it.

The barricade is just outside the Longworth House office building, where some congressional members work. The incident took place just before 8AM, as indicted Representative George Santos, of New York, held a press conference to discuss the debate and vote on his potential expulsion from Congress. The 35-year old lawmaker faces federal charges of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to commit offences against the state. It’s not exactly illegal, but he also likes to lie a lot. Santos has indicated that he expects to be expelled when the vote concludes.

Capitol Police say they haven’t yet found any indication that Simon’s actions were necessarily intentional or motivated to insight terror. A news anchor with WUSA9 in DC asked Capitol Police if there was a security concern, and they responded no.

It’s possible this story amounts to nothing more than a weird car crash at a weirdly coincidental time, but it certainly seems suspicious for a car with Florida plates to slam at speed into a D.C. barricade for seemingly no reason. Whether politically motivated or not, it’s a little unnerving to think about people just driving around with 4,500 pounds worth of potential battering ram underneath them at highway speeds.