National Mall mayhem as SUV weaves through tourists; driver arrested

By WTOP Staff
June 22, 2025 | 8:49 PM

[connatix_element_embed script_id=4b61ad8090d444dbb4d9ccc55db50994 player_id=7bc491b4-922b-4e8d-b1b1-150648e80442 video_id=2a340de0-0093-4002-9e5d-8d3681173522 align=right]

A driver tore through the National Mall in an SUV Saturday, weaving around joggers, families and baffled tourists on the pedestrian paths between the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol.

Footage shared on social media shows the vehicle speeding past the Smithsonian Castle, blowing through stop signs and narrowly missing people on foot and on scooters.

U.S. Park Police said in a statement that the driver was arrested.

However, it remains unclear what charges were filed over the incident.

The driver is scheduled for a court appearance Monday.

No one was hurt.

Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

DC-area volunteers raising money for truck to support Ukraine war effort

By Mike Murillo
August 21, 2026 | 5:30 AM

Some D.C.-area residents are trying to raise enough money to send a specially equipped truck to Ukraine as part of a nationwide grassroots fundraising campaign. Bethesda, Maryland, resident Jeffrey Bloch is helping lead Maryland's effort through the 50 States for Ukraine campaign. The group is trying to raise $13,000 for a vehicle for use by a Ukrainian military unit. Funds raised through 50 States for Ukraine are used by the organization Car for Ukraine to purchase, modify and deliver vehicles. According to the fundraising website, efforts in neighboring D.C. and Virginia have already raised enough money to fund multiple vehicles. “These are not really the large military vehicles or tanks, things like that, that are normally associated with government aid packages, but they are a bit smaller vehicles that are not covered under these aid packages, but they're very urgently needed on the ground," Bloch said.

Related stories

For first time, Chuck Brown Day will go on without Brown family

DC students made small gains on last year's standardized tests, but still below prepandemic levels in math, data shows

12-year-old arrested, charged with fatally shooting 13-year-old in DC

Metro and IndyCar team up for a busy weekend of Freedom 250 Grand Prix events

An inside look at final preparations for Freedom 250 Grand Prix in DC