Drunk man crashes car into Daytona Beach Airport fence, attempts to enter planes, deputies say

Intoxicated driver goes through Daytona Beach Airport fence to airfield

An intoxicated man was taken into custody after crashing his vehicle through a security gate at the Daytona Beach International Airport. Volusia County deputies said the man attempted to enter an occupied, running aircraft. The breach occurred at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University flight ramp, where university security and airport staff intervened to resolve the situation safely before the FBI and local deputies arrived.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Volusia Sheriff's Office said a drunk man drove through a fence at Daytona Beach International Airport on Wednesday and onto the active runway, where he then attempted to access several small airplanes nearby.

Authorities arrested 58-year-old Bryan J. Parker, of Holly Hill, who told deputies that he was "intoxicated on alcohol and drugs" and could not remember what happened.

What we know:

Deputies said around 4:20 p.m., a blue Ford Mustang plowed through the gate at Daytona Beach Airport's international terminal and was headed towards Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University's side of the airport.

Officials said Parker drove into the taxiway and nearly hit an Embry-Riddle plane that was taxiing.

Deputies said the man got out of his vehicle and tried to get into the plane, which had people in it at the time. He failed and allegedly ran to another part of the airport and tried to get into another plane.

The Volusia Sheriff's Office released a photo showing Bryan J. Parker being detained at Daytona Beach Airport. He's accused of driving through an airport fence and attempting to access several planes. Credit: Volusia Sheriff's Office, Volusia County

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He was eventually detained by airport operations and placed in handcuffs by airport security.

He was booked into jail on several charges:

• Aircraft piracy
• Burglary of an unoccupied conveyance
• Trespass upon operation area of an airport
• Indecent exposure (2 counts)
• Criminal mischief
• DUI with damage
• Refused to submit to DUI testing
• DUI alcohol/drugs, 3rd offense within 10 years

Spokesperson: All happened in roughly 30 seconds

Joanne Magley, airport manager at Daytona Beach International Airport, told FOX 35 in emails that the entire incident happened "in a matter of approximately 30 seconds."

She praised the airport operations agent for stopping the vehicle and chasing after the alleged suspect, helping to apprehend him alongside Embry-Riddle security. 

Content warning: There is some cursing in the bodycam footage.

VSO released bodycamera footage after Parker was detained at the airport.

"What's the deal man," a deputy asked Park.

"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 the video.

Magley also clarified that the incident happened on the airport's secondary runway and not the main runway.

"It was in the area where the Embry Riddle aeronautical university training aircraft are located. These were training aircraft at the beginning or ending of their training flight," she said.

Flight operations at Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry-Riddle is located next to the Daytona Beach Airport. 

The university offers flight courses through its flight department that operates 51 weeks a year. "With more than 900 flight students and 120-plus flight instructors, Embry‑Riddle is the largest aviation training center in Central Florida," the university said on its website. 

The university has a flight ramp on the east side of the airport.