Passenger arrested in Colorado after flight diverted due to disturbance, police say
A plane was diverted to Grand Junction, Colo., on Wednesday after a passenger reportedly became drunk and unruly.
According to the Grand Junction Police Department, a drunk passenger began yelling racist slurs at airline staff and waving a skateboard around. According to FlightAware, the flight left Norfolk International Airport in Virginia for Los Angeles International Airport this morning.
Staff reportedly put the man, later identified as 46-year-old David Leroy Carver Jr. of Los Angeles, in restraints twice. However, he broke free after both attempts. A photo provided to CBS Los Angeles shows two men who reportedly helped to restrain Carver.
The airline reported that a flight attendant and a passenger suffered minor injuries during the incident.
In a statement released Wednesday, the airline said, "Breeze flight MX704 with service from Norfolk, Va. (ORF) to Los Angeles (LAX) diverted to Grand Junction, Co. (GJT) after a passenger onboard initiated a physical altercation with other Guests and Flight Attendants. The plane was met promptly by local law enforcement officers, who restrained and removed the passenger from the aircraft. One Flight Attendant and one Guest were evaluated for minor injuries. Our focus now is on taking care of our Crew and remaining Guests who have been unfairly inconvenienced by this unfortunate event and getting them safely to their final destination as quickly as possible."
Breeze deplaned the 132 passengers and five crew members aboard and had them evaluated, then fed the passengers and provided them with travel vouchers.
After the plane landed, the Grand Junction Police Department, at the direction of the FBI, took Carver into custody. He is being held at the Mesa County Detention Facility. The FBI said further information on charges will be provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado or by the federal court.
The FAA reported that airlines have reported more than 1,000 unruly passenger incidents this year. Anyone who assaults, threatens, intimidates or interferes with airline crewmembers could face civil penalties up to $37,000 per violation, said the administration.
