An intoxicated man was arrested by Volusia County deputies after he reportedly crashed his car into a locked airport gate and tried to enter an occupied plane.
On Wednesday, March 25, at around 4:25 p.m., the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a blue Ford Mustang had just crashed through a locked perimeter gate at Daytona Beach International Airport, according to VCSO.
A deputy quickly arrived at the airport and observed that the gate was “destroyed and lying on the ground.” Airport staff informed the deputy that the Mustang had “plowed through” the gate before heading toward the airport’s Embry-Riddle section.
A man, identified as 58-year-old Holly Hill resident Bryan John Parker, was quickly detained by airport security personnel.
Witnesses reportedly told the deputy that the Mustang’s driver, identified as Parker, had “entered the taxiway,” nearly striking an Embry-Riddle plane that was taxiing.
According to witnesses, Parker exited his Mustang and attempted to enter the plane, though he was unsuccessful. Parker then allegedly ran to a nearby aircraft while being chased by an airport operations technician, and he was pulled out of the plane and briefly apprehended.
The sheriff’s office stated that Parker managed to run toward another plane before he was once again apprehended and secured in handcuffs.
While speaking with law enforcement, Parker allegedly “indicated he was intoxicated on alcohol and drugs,” and he claimed to have no memory of the events leading to the incident, according to VCSO.
Parker was placed under arrest and booked into Volusia County Jail, where he remains in custody without bond.
Jail records show that Parker is facing the following charges: aircraft piracy, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, trespassing at an airport, indecent exposure (two counts), criminal mischief ($1,000 or more), DUI with damage to persons or property, refusal to submit to DUI testing, and DUI (third or subsequent offense within 10 years).