Police identify a man who crashed into the White House barrier after running two traffic lights

D.C. police have identified the driver who died Saturday night after crashing into a barrier at the White House complex.

According to police, 57-year-old James Chester Lewis Jr. of Matthews, North Carolina, crashed into a security barrier on the outer edge of the White House complex.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Lewis was traveling westbound at a high rate of speed in the 1400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue at approximately 10:16 p.m. He ran two red lights before crashing into a vehicle barrier at the intersection of 15th Street and E Street.

Lewis was found with serious injuries following the collision and was pronounced dead by officers at the scene.

Anthony Guglielmi, U.S. Secret Service communications chief, released a statement about the agency’s response to the crash after midnight Sunday.

“Safety protocols were implemented as officers cleared the vehicle and attempted to render aid to the driver who was found dead,” Guglielmi said. “There was no threat to the White House.”

The crash remains under investigation by D.C. police and the Secret Service.

Below is a map of the crash site.

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