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Driver crashes through fencing at Cleveland Hopkins Airport

Investigators are looking into how security was breached at the airport

CLEVELAND — Federal investigators are looking into a breach of security at Hopkins Airport.

Last weekend, a suspected drunk driver plowed through a secure portion of fencing, drove around, and apparently spent an hour and a half in his car before police arrived and arrested him. 

Documents show 26-year-old Daniel Allen of Cleveland caused $1,000 in damage. The cost itself is nothing compared to the questions now being raised.

According to the TSA, Allen crashed through a fence at 2:51 a.m. near NASA and ended up in an airport operations area.

There, he drove around roughly two minutes before he crashed through the fence again to get out.

Only this time, he hit a snowbank, where he apparently stayed. That's because records show police did not show up until 4:22 and at that time, he was still in his car.

Allen was arrested at roughly 4:30 a.m

On Tuesday night, no one from the airport or city will talk about what happened, even though perimeter security falls on them.

And TSA meanwhile is investigating why and how so much time could elapse with so little of a response.

It wasn't the first time a person crashed through a local airport fence, either.

In July, a car barreled onto the runway at Burke.

Sunday's incident wasn't the first time that Allen's been in trouble for drinking and driving, either. 

Records show three prior OVIs, now he faces a fourth, along with a new charge of vandalism. 

There could be more charges to come.

A spokesman for the TSA expects their investigation should take about 90 days.

After that, they'll recommend upgrades or changes.

We'll see if the city agrees to them, though it has yet to even publicly acknowledge this mess.

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