Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Woman Charged with driving under the influence after driving on runway: Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (KCHO), Carlottesville, Virginia

Christina Jewell
A Charlottesville woman faces drunk and reckless driving charges after police say she crashed her car onto an airport tarmac. The accident shut down air traffic into Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (CHO) early Wednesday morning.

Crews are working to permanently repair the security fence surrounding the airport after police say Christina Jewell, 33, slammed through it. 

Officers say Jewell drove off Dickerson Road and through the airport fence. Airport police say they stopped Jewell in her car driving around in the grassy area just downhill from the end of the runway. Air traffic control made sure no flights were inbound during the incident.

"That was a priority right off the bat and then our officers were able to respond relatively quickly to make sure the scene was secure," said Carter Johnson, spokesperson for the Albemarle County Police Department.

Albemarle County police arrested Jewell around 1 a.m. and charged her with second-offense driving under the influence and reckless driving.

The crash took down four sections of fencing. Crews quickly put up a temporary fix for security.

"It's an airport, so there are lots of interesting things that take place here. But, I would say this probably ranks up there with the best of them," said Jason Burch, spokesperson for CHO.

Jewell was not injured during the incident and was taken to Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail and released on a $2,500 bond.


Story, Photo, Comments/Reaction:  http://www.nbc29.com