It’s not every day that someone drives their car onto the tarmac of an airport and then smashes it into the terminal, but there you go.
According to the New Hanover County (N.C) Sheriff’s Office, Tray Anthony Dvorak, age 37, breached the fence line at Wilmington International Airport (ILM) late last week and drove onto the tarmac. The vehicle then retreated from the tarmac and was engaged by deputies. The car proceeded to crash through the doors and windows of the airport’s one terminal, ending up inside it, according to the sheriff’s office’s statement.
When the car came to a stop, its windshield was smashed and the car’s hood was missing.
The event happened on March 9, 2023, shortly after 7pm.
The Rocky Point NC resident was arrested and charged with a host of crimes:
- Assault with a deadly weapon on a government official,
- Speeding to elude arrest,
- Trespass on airport property,
- Disorderly conduct,
- Resist obstruct delay a government official
“The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office was engaged in a situation at the Wilmington International Airport this evening shortly after 7 PM. A vehicle had breached the fence line at the airport and drove onto the tarmac. The vehicle then retreated from the tarmac and the driver was engaged by deputies with New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle ultimately ended up inside the terminal after crashing through doors and windows. Deputies then detained the driver of the vehicle. He faces several state and federal charges,” NHCSO wrote in a press release.
“I’m not a doctor, so I can’t tell you what his issues are, but he was telling us that the devil made him do it and was just talking out of his brain,” a NHCSO representative said.
Dvorak said he has three children, two of which were, “hurt really bad.” He said this was why he has been “acting out.” He also said that he was running from someone.
According to the Washington Post, the Transportation Security Administration confirmed one of its officers sustained minor injuries in the incident and was sent to a hospital. A representative from the sheriff’s office said the officer broke her ankle while running away from the vehicle as it crashed into the terminal. There were no other injuries reported.
Dvorak has a history of at least 4 previous arrests, with past charges including burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, civil contempt and damage to personal property, among others. He was being held on $50,000 bond for this latest incident. His next court date is March 30th.
A spokesperson for ILM said the airport had “minimal impact to operations” on the night the incident happened and remained open. Temporary repairs to the terminal were completed by 4 a.m. the next day.
Feature Photo: New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office
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