Light Wave

U.S. News

Biden SUV hit in motorcade, police examining driver for impairment

By Jake Beardslee · December 18, 2023

In brief…

  • An SUV in President Biden's motorcade was hit by a sedan while Biden was leaving a campaign dinner event in Wilmington, Delaware
  • Police are investigating whether impairment was a factor in the sedan driver's actions
  • The crash visibly startled Biden but he and the First Lady were unharmed
  • The sedan sustained front bumper damage but no injuries were reported
A vehicle in President Joe Biden's motorcade was struck by a gold Ford sedan near his Wilmington campaign headquarters on Sunday evening, prompting a police investigation into potential impairment by the sedan's driver, but Biden and the First Lady were uninjured in the incident.  The White House/Wikimedia

An SUV traveling as part of President Joe Biden’s motorcade was struck by a gold Ford sedan around 8:09pm on Sunday night in Wilmington, Delaware, as Biden was leaving a dinner at his campaign headquarters.

“The Wilmington Police Department is investigating the motor vehicle collision, which did not result in any injuries. Investigators are also working to determine if impairment was a factor,” stated a police spokesperson.

Reporters traveling with the president indicated Biden had just finished speaking to a reporter when the crash occurred nearby, visibly startling him. The president was then swiftly escorted to his waiting vehicle by Secret Service agents. First Lady Jill Biden was already in the SUV at the time.

“There was no protective interest associated with this event and the President’s motorcade departed without incident,” said the U.S. Secret Service about the collision.

Police are examining whether intoxication played a role in the sedan driver’s actions. The Ford sustained clear front bumper damage, according to footage from reporters on the scene.

President Biden and the First Lady were unharmed in the incident. They had been attending a staff dinner at Biden’s Wilmington campaign office before the crash.