A dramatic close call unfolded in Milwaukee on Monday night when a suspected drunk driver nearly collided with Vice President Kamala Harris’ motorcade. The 55-year-old local man drove the wrong way up an exit ramp onto I-794 at St. Paul Avenue, speeding past Harris and her convoy in a matter of seconds, as captured in a shocking video, according to WISN 12.
As the first car in the Vice President’s motorcade passed, the wrong-way driver moved to the left lane, narrowly avoiding a collision with over a dozen vehicles, including one carrying Harris to the airport.
Footage from a local ABC affiliate shows the last car in the motorcade, driven by a Milwaukee County sheriff’s deputy, pulling over the driver, who was arrested after failing multiple field sobriety tests, as reported by the New York Post.
Officials noted that the man appeared just as confused as those who spotted his headlights on the one-way section of the interstate.
When the deputy told him he “almost struck a vehicle in the VPOTUS’ motorcade, he was extremely surprised and had no recollection of entering the freeway or coming close to striking another vehicle,” according to the arrest report obtained by the local news station.
“He also stated he did not have any intention of harming Vice President Kamala Harris or anybody related to her campaign,” the arrest report states.
The driver was found with an open beer can in his car and was arrested on charges of drunk driving and second-degree recklessly endangering safety. He was held in jail without bail.
The Secret Service acknowledged the incident and thanked the sheriff’s office for apprehending the driver.
