A wrong-way driver , suspected of being drunk, nearly collided with Vice President Kamala Harris ' motorcade on Monday night in Milwaukee , creating a moment of high tension for her security detail, reported the New York Post .
The 55-year-old local man drove his SUV up an exit ramp onto the wrong side of Interstate 94, coming dangerously close to the vice president's convoy.
The near-miss occurred just before 8:30 pm (local time) as Harris' motorcade was en route to the airport after an event.
According to reports, the man drove directly toward the line of vehicles, with footage showing him passing the motorcade within seconds. A Milwaukee County sheriff’s deputy, part of the security detail, managed to stop the vehicle just as it approached Harris’ entourage.
The driver was arrested after failing multiple field sobriety tests and being found with an open beer can in his vehicle.
The driver, who reportedly had no memory of entering the freeway or nearly striking the motorcade, expressed surprise when officers informed him of how close he had come to the vice president's vehicle. He stated that he had no intention of harming Harris or anyone associated with her campaign, according to the arrest report.
Authorities charged the man with operating while intoxicated and second-degree recklessly endangering safety. He is currently being held in jail without bail.
The US Secret Service , responsible for Harris' protection, acknowledged the incident and expressed gratitude to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office for their swift response.
Despite no injuries or damage, the incident has raised concerns about the security protocols surrounding high-profile political figures, particularly given how close the impaired driver came to Harris.
As scrutiny builds over the Secret Service's ability to prevent such breaches, the incident adds to ongoing discussions about the agency's preparedness following previous security concerns, including an attempted assassination against former President Donald Trump earlier this year.
The 55-year-old local man drove his SUV up an exit ramp onto the wrong side of Interstate 94, coming dangerously close to the vice president's convoy.
New reporting tonight from @NickBohrWISN: The Secret Service is looking into how a suspected drunk driver, driving the wrong way on the interstate, came this close to VP Kamala Harris' motorcade in Milwaukee last night after her event in Waukesha County pic.twitter.com/VEclfwEQVR
— Matt Smith (@mattsmith_news) October 22, 2024
The near-miss occurred just before 8:30 pm (local time) as Harris' motorcade was en route to the airport after an event.
According to reports, the man drove directly toward the line of vehicles, with footage showing him passing the motorcade within seconds. A Milwaukee County sheriff’s deputy, part of the security detail, managed to stop the vehicle just as it approached Harris’ entourage.
The driver was arrested after failing multiple field sobriety tests and being found with an open beer can in his vehicle.
The driver, who reportedly had no memory of entering the freeway or nearly striking the motorcade, expressed surprise when officers informed him of how close he had come to the vice president's vehicle. He stated that he had no intention of harming Harris or anyone associated with her campaign, according to the arrest report.
Authorities charged the man with operating while intoxicated and second-degree recklessly endangering safety. He is currently being held in jail without bail.
The US Secret Service , responsible for Harris' protection, acknowledged the incident and expressed gratitude to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office for their swift response.
Despite no injuries or damage, the incident has raised concerns about the security protocols surrounding high-profile political figures, particularly given how close the impaired driver came to Harris.
As scrutiny builds over the Secret Service's ability to prevent such breaches, the incident adds to ongoing discussions about the agency's preparedness following previous security concerns, including an attempted assassination against former President Donald Trump earlier this year.
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