A chaotic scene unfolded at a Florida airport on Wednesday, in an incident that felt more like something out of a Grand Theft Auto video game than real life.
Videos by Wide Open Country
According to the Volusia Sheriff's Office, a man drove through a fence at Daytona Beach International Airport before making his way onto an active runway.
What followed was a series of alarming moments that quickly escalated.
Florida Airport Breach Sees Suspect Drive Onto Active Runway
Authorities say 58-year-old Bryan J. Parker was behind the wheel of a blue Ford Mustang when the incident began around 4:20 p.m.
He allegedly crashed through an airport gate and sped down the runway, narrowly missing a plane.
The situation escalated further when Parker exited his vehicle and attempted to board a running aircraft that had people on board.
He was unable to get inside and then ran to another part of the airport, where he made a second attempt to access another plane.
Airport operations staff intervened, and security personnel quickly detained him before placing him in handcuffs. FBI agents and local deputies later arrived to take over the investigation.
Suspect Admits Intoxication as Charges Stack Up
Following his arrest, Parker told authorities he had been under the influence and had little memory of the incident.
"I don't remember. F-ing anything. I was at my house. I want to an AA meeting. And next thing I know, I'm doing cocaine, drinking, and smoking pot," he told deputies, according to
body camera footage.He faces charges including aircraft piracy, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, trespass upon the operational area of an airport, two counts of indecent exposure, and criminal mischief.
He is also charged with DUI with damage, refusal to submit to DUI testing, and DUI involving alcohol or drugs.
According to FOX 35, airport manager Joanne Magley said the entire sequence unfolded "in a matter of approximately 30 seconds."
Magley added that the incident took place on a secondary runway. The outcome could have been far more severe had it occurred on the airport's main runway.
