The Philadelphia District Attorney’s office has withdrawn charges against Kenneth Mazik, 24, for allegedly driving his Jeep Cherokee onto a runway at the Philadelphia International Airport March 5.
Mazik will instead face federal charges for disrupting airport service, damaging the facility and endangering safety, according to a criminal complaint.
Mazik allegedly sped his car through a locked gate as a plane was coming in for a landing 500 feet above the runway, causing the aircraft to be diverted as police chased him. He reportedly interrupted 75 planes from landing and 80 from taking off on time.
The city had originally charged Mazik with DUI, assault, criminal mischief and related offenses. He remains in custody.
