What started as a typical Friday night at Detroit Metropolitan Airport took a violent turn when a car burst through the check-in area, sending shockwaves through the terminal and the people inside it.
The driver was quickly arrested after the dramatic incident, which unfolded in front of stunned travelers.
Chaos Unfolds Inside the McNamara Terminal
Airport officials say the crash happened around 7:30pm local time.
The vehicle tore through the entrance and came to a stop inside the McNamara Terminal — the airport’s largest and busiest hub.
Videos filmed moments later show the car sitting amid wreckage, well past the doors it smashed through.
Witnesses Describe a Sudden, Terrifying Moment
Travelers told local station WXYZ-TV they heard a thunderous bang as the car barreled inside and slammed into a Delta Air Lines ticket counter.
Several said the noise was so loud it took a moment to register what had actually happened.
According to witnesses, the driver then got out of the car and began shouting.
What he was yelling remains unclear, but those nearby described the scene as frantic and unsettling.
Security Response in Seconds
Police officers and TSA agents rushed in almost immediately, bystanders said.
The driver — identified only by his clothing, including a black Detroit Lions jersey — was surrounded by multiple officers in yellow vests and taken into custody as he continued to scream.
Ali Khalifa, who was at the airport at the time, said the speed of the response likely prevented the situation from getting worse.
“The response was so quick, thank God — with the cops and TSA and everybody,” he said. “That all happened in seconds.”
Injuries Checked, Confusion Remains
Firefighters from the Wayne County Airport Authority treated six people at the scene.
Delta Air Lines later told CBS News that no injuries were officially reported, though three of its employees were examined by emergency crews after being exposed to flying debris.
Wreckage Marks the Point of Entry
Footage shared on social media captured the damaged entrance where the car forced its way inside.
Twisted metal door frames, shattered glass, and debris littered the floor, highlighting the force of the impact and the danger it posed.
Questions Still Unanswered
Authorities have not yet confirmed what caused the crash, and the driver’s identity has not been released.
Investigators are continuing to piece together what led to the shocking breach of airport security.
What’s Next?
Officials are expected to continue their investigation into how the vehicle gained access to the terminal and whether charges will follow.
Travelers are also waiting to hear what steps, if any, will be taken to prevent a similar incident in the future.
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