SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — A drunk driver crashed into a gate at the Bradenton/Sarasota Airport and drove around inside the tarmac, causing damage to a plane.
- Mary Dostal charged with DUI, could face federal charges
- She is accused of driving drunk, hitting airplane
- Citizen tip helped deputies pull her over
Deputies in Sarasota County said Mary Dostal was charged with DUI after the Wednesday night incident but could face more charges.
The airplane's pilot, Jacob Kyser, said he is still confused about what happened.
"That's a good question. I don't think anybody really knows that yet," he said.
Investigators said Dostal swerved around multiple planes before hitting one.
Kyser said she hit the back of the airplane "where the flap is, and it bent up quite a bit."
According to deputies, Dostal did the damage in about a minute and a half — so fast that airport police weren't able to get to her before she left.
A tip from a citizen helped deputies track her down. She told deputies she thought she was in Ohio, and the deputies also noticed a box of wine in the front seat of her car.
There was nobody on the plane, and nobody was injured.
About $15,000 worth of damage was done to the plane. Dostal could face federal charges.