A Florida man is facing a long list of serious charges after authorities say he drunkenly crashed through a locked airport gate, drove onto the runway area, and then tried to get onto not one, but two planes in a terrifying scene that unfolded in less than a minute.
Officials say 58-year-old Bryan J. Parker of Holly Hill, Florida, was arrested on Wednesday, March 25, after allegedly barreling through a secure perimeter gate at Daytona Beach International Airport while heavily intoxicated. According to authorities, Parker then drove onto the airfield and headed toward aircraft on the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University ramp.
The situation quickly turned even more alarming when Parker allegedly tried to gain access to two different planes. Authorities said he was unsuccessful both times, but the chaos was enough to trigger a frantic response from airport staff and security.
An airport operations agent and Embry-Riddle security reportedly chased Parker on foot and managed to detain him before deputies arrived. Officials later said the entire ordeal lasted about 30 seconds, making it a fast-moving and deeply dangerous incident.
Bodycam footage released after the arrest showed Parker barefoot and handcuffed near the taxiway with aircraft visible in the background. In the video, an officer asked him what happened, and Parker appeared completely disoriented.
“I don’t remember,” he said, before launching into a rambling explanation that included attending an AA meeting and then allegedly using cocaine, drinking alcohol, and smoking marijuana. He also admitted he was lucky he had not gotten on his motorcycle.
When an officer asked if he had been using drugs and then crashed through a gate, Parker responded, “Yeah.” He then repeatedly asked what had happened and appeared confused about where his car was and which gate he went through.
According to local reports, Parker was driving a blue Ford Mustang and nearly struck a student training plane on the taxiway around 4:20 p.m. Officials said the plane had people inside at the time. After failing to get into that aircraft, Parker allegedly ran off and tried to enter another one.
Despite the chaos, airport officials said no one was injured and no aircraft were damaged. The airport later confirmed that operations returned to normal and praised the quick actions of airport personnel, air traffic control, security, deputies, and witnesses who immediately called 911.
Parker was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail and now faces a staggering list of charges, including attempted aircraft piracy, burglary of a conveyance, felony trespass at an airport, exposure of a sexual organ, criminal mischief, DUI property damage, and refusal to submit to testing.
Airport officials stressed that safety remains their top priority and said the threat was contained quickly and safely. The investigation is still ongoing, but the shocking incident has already raised serious questions about just how fast a secure airport area can be breached when someone is determined — and allegedly under the influence.