NEW HANOVER COUNTY — A man apprehended for crashing into the Wilmington International Airport terminal on Thursday evening has been arrested and is being held with a secured bond.
The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office arrested Tray Anthony Dvorak after he drove his car onto the ILM tarmac shortly after 7 p.m. on March 8. The driver steered away from the tarmac as deputies attempted to apprehend him. He then wrecked his compact vehicle into the terminal through the windows and doors.
Dvorak has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, speeding to elude arrest, trespass on airport property, disorderly conduct, and resist obstruct delay a government official.
Though there was not any harm to the public, a TSA official was injured.
Lt. Jerry Brewer said he could not confirm but indicated someone sustained an ankle injury due to the crash, “but you’d have to get that from TSA.”
Mark Howell, the regional TSA spokesperson, confirmed it was a TSA officer who “was transported to a local hospital for medical attention.”
Brewer told Port City Daily Dvorak wasn’t impaired and is not facing DWI charges. The reasoning for Dvorak’s actions remains unclear.
“I’m not a doctor, so I can’t tell you what his issues are,” Brewer said. “But he was telling us that the devil made him do it and was just talking out of his brain.”
NHCSO confirmed Dvorak faces state and federal charges. He made his first appearance in court via video at 2 p.m. on Friday. The judge increased Dvorak’s bond to $75,000; he was on a pre-trial release for another offense.
Dvorak said he had been “acting out” as two of his three children have been hurt badly. He will be in court next on March 31.
“I want to thank New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, other law enforcement agencies, airport staff, and our airport partners that acted quickly and effectively last night,” ILM airport director Jeff Bourk said. “I am very proud of our team.”
Bourke said Monteith Construction responded quickly to make temporary repairs to the fence line and terminal front. The airport is open and fully operational.
“ILM has been and continues to be fully in compliance with TSA security requirements,” Bourk said in a statement.
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