Security personnel and local law enforcement immediately established a perimeter around the affected section of the terminal. Airport operations outside the enclosure continued, though officials did not disclose whether flights experienced delays. The airport authority stated that structural assessments would be conducted to determine the extent of damage to both the entrance and the ticket counter.
Footage posted on social media showed a dark-colored sedan resting against the counter amid scattered debris. Uniformed officers and airport employees could be seen directing travelers away from the area while paramedics rendered assistance. The video, circulating widely on several platforms, appeared to have been recorded moments after the vehicle came to a stop.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, situated about 20 miles southwest of downtown Detroit, serves as a major hub for domestic and international flights. The McNamara Terminal, one of two primary terminals at the facility, handles significant passenger traffic each day. Following the crash, public-address announcements advised travelers to avoid the ticketing hall near the south entrance as emergency personnel worked.
Investigators from multiple agencies, including Wayne County law enforcement and airport public safety units, began gathering physical evidence and interviewing witnesses Friday night. Officials confirmed that the initial focus is on determining how the vehicle gained enough momentum to breach the terminal doorway and whether any security barriers malfunctioned or were bypassed.
Standard aviation security protocols require vehicular access points to be controlled and monitored. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, airport operators must ensure that exterior boundaries remain secure to prevent unauthorized entry. The airport authority has not stated whether any additional measures will be introduced as a result of Friday’s event.
Imagem: Internet
The six people treated on site were described only as airport patrons who happened to be in proximity to the counter at the time of impact. Authorities did not disclose whether any of the injured included airline staff. All travelers elsewhere in the terminal were permitted to proceed to security checkpoints, though several ticket counters were temporarily closed during the response.
As the investigation progresses, officials are expected to review surveillance recordings, examine the vehicle’s mechanical condition, and conduct tests to rule out driver intoxication or medical emergency. No timeline has been provided for when findings might be released or when normal operations at the affected counter will resume.
Friday’s incident marks a rare breach of the McNamara Terminal’s public area by a vehicle. Airport authority representatives emphasized that public safety remains the top priority and indicated that additional information would be shared once preliminary conclusions are reached.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant video footage has been asked to contact Wayne County Airport Authority police to assist investigators.
Crédito da imagem: @detroitmac1313 / TikTok
