US Vice President Kamala Harris was involved in a car accident that was initially reported to intelligence chiefs as a “mechanical failure”, even though the vehicle hit a curb and was transferred to another car. .
The officer who accompanied her to work at the White House on Monday hit the side pavement of a tunnel strong enough to require a tire change, the Washington Post reported.
Intelligence director Kim Cheatle is said to have expressed concern that the incident was initially described as a mechanical failure, and therefore was relieved to have a more complete account, according to the newspaper’s report.
“During a protection movement on Monday, a vehicle in a march underwent a slight over-correction and hit a sidewalk,” agency spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said.
“The protector [Harris] was transferred to a secondary vehicle and the procession continued towards its destination. There were no injuries for anyone. “
He added that although the accident was initially reported as a mechanical failure, “the leadership was later verbally updated with further pertinent facts that the vehicle hit a curb.”
Ms. Harris press secretary Kirsten Allen confirmed the incident on Wednesday, saying, “The Vice President was uninjured and appreciates the quick response of her USSS details to get her to the White House safely.”
The procession stopped “a great no-go”
A source familiar with the incident told NBC News that Ms. Harris was headed to work at the White House in her motorcade when the vehicle she was traveling in cut through a high curb with its rear wheel and was disabled.
The source said a stopped march is considered a worrying situation – “a big no-no to us” – and that Ms. Harris was quickly transferred to the replacement vehicle.
His previous vehicle was traveling at an estimated speed of 50 miles per hour through the city streets, the source said.
When the march arrived at the White House, she was examined by medical staff to make sure she had no injuries, the source added.
Mr. Guglielmi told NBC News that there would be no disciplinary action.
“We are proud of the details. The way they handled it was exactly how it should have been,” he said.
