A video recently surfaced capturing the moments following an incident with one of the Secret Service’s special vehicles, known as Roadrunners. These are upgraded versions of the Ford F350 Super Duty, frequently used within U.S. presidential motorcades. The latest design iteration of the Roadrunner was introduced in 2018.
Early information suggests that the distinct six-door vehicle met with an accident en route to Live Oak, Florida, on September 2, in anticipation of a visit by President Joe Biden. The President intended to inspect the damage caused by Hurricane Idalia and connect with the affected residents.
Major roadways like U.S. Highway 90, U.S. Highway 129, and Interstate 10 traverse Live Oak, but the specific accident site remains unspecified.
The footage, recorded from a passing car, coupled with a snapshot, was shared with The War Zone by Marco Congiu, an American representative for the Italian broadcaster, SkyTg24. It depicts the Secret Service vehicle halted over the highway’s median barrier. Emergency responders and possibly another Secret Service vehicle were present when the recording was captured.
It’s not a complete anomaly for vehicles in the Presidential Motorcade to experience complications. Given the extensive customizations and their considerable weight, they can occasionally face challenges. Nonetheless, it’s exceptional for a key vehicle like the Roadrunner to be in an accident.
The Roadrunner serves as the White House Communications Agency’s core communications and control vehicle, typically manned by a three-person crew. As part of a historical lineage of Roadrunners, each differing in setup, its primary role is to shadow the presidential car closely. The vehicle is equipped with a large satellite communications antenna, offering secure communication channels. This ensures that the President and other vital members within the motorcade can exchange information securely. Keeping the President continuously linked to the National Command Authority reinforces the trustworthiness of the U.S.’s nuclear strategy.
WATCH:
A Secret Service vehicle from the Presidential motorcade just crashed on his way to Live Oak ahead of Biden visit pic.twitter.com/GkjKc4K5yl
— marco congiu (@marcocongiu) September 2, 2023
