A car crash occurred at Maine’s Portland International Jetport and caused a short delay in airport operations, reports say.
George Gillmore, 33, was located Sunday and charged with leaving the scene of a crash and driving to endanger, News Center Maine reported, citing Portland Police Department Lieutenant Robert Doherty. Airport maintenance crew discovered the abandoned car inside the airport fence Sunday morning, which led to the airfield’s brief closure, Doherty said. No flights were affected, according to the outlet.
Police investigating car that crashed in South Portland, entering Portland jetport runway https://t.co/cQZVDxApzs
— NEWS CENTER Maine (@newscentermaine) October 1, 2023
The driver of the sedan crashed through a fence on airport grounds and drove around the runway area, News Center reported, citing police department spokesperson Brad Nadeau. (RELATED: ‘Came Out Of Nowhere!’: Video Captures Office Chair Hurtling Into Car Windshield On Highway)
“Contact was made with the registered owner, 33-year-old George Gillmore III, who was staying at Embassy Suites,” Nadeau told the outlet. “Gillmore refused to answer questions and he was summoned for criminal trespass, leaving the scene of an accident, driving to endanger, and aggravated criminal mischief. Federal charges and fines could follow as well.”
Portland International Jetport is investigating the incident along with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), according to News Center.
The airport runway shut down for about 45 minutes for officials to conduct a security check, according to the Associated Press (AP). After a sweep of the area, officials were able to resume airport operations and confirmed no one was injured and no one was in danger.