A suspected drunken driver headed toward Vice President Kamala Harris’ motorcade while driving the wrong way on an interstate in downtown Milwaukee on Monday night. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. when a 55-year-old Milwaukee man drove an SUV westbound in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 94 near the Marquette Interchange.
Quick Response by Law Enforcement
According to James Burnett, spokesperson for the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies quickly stopped the SUV as it approached the motorcade. The driver was suspected of being impaired, and deputies discovered an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. Following field sobriety tests, the driver was taken into custody on charges of operating while intoxicated and recklessly endangering safety.
No Injuries Reported
Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident. Video footage obtained by CNN affiliate WISN shows the SUV moving slowly in the wrong direction as other vehicles passed by. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has not yet provided additional video of the incident.
Secret Service Responds
The U.S. Secret Service, responsible for protecting the vice president, acknowledged the event. Spokesperson Joe Biesk praised the swift response of the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, stating, “We are grateful for their response which allowed them to stop the motorist and take the driver into custody for DUI.”
Harris Campaigns Amid Heightened Security Concerns
At the time of the incident, Vice President Harris was campaigning in Wisconsin’s Waukesha County with former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney. She also made campaign stops in Pennsylvania and Michigan in the days leading up to the event.
Strain on Secret Service Amid Busy Campaign Season
This incident comes during a busy campaign season, which has placed strain on the U.S. Secret Service. Acting Director Ronald Rowe has described the current security environment as “unprecedented and hyper-dynamic.” In addition, an independent panel recently recommended a complete overhaul of Secret Service leadership following security failures during an assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Pennsylvania earlier this year.
Previous Motorcade Incident Involving Tim Walz
Last month, several vehicles in Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz’s motorcade were involved in a crash, with some passengers suffering non-life-threatening injuries. The strain on security resources continues as the 2024 presidential race intensifies.
