Psychiatric Tests Ordered For PHL Airport Gate- Crasher
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A federal judge has ordered a competency hearing and psychiatric evaluation for the Chadds Ford, Pa. man accused of driving his vehicle through a security fence and onto runways at Philadelphia International Airport two weeks ago.
Defense lawyer Kerry Kalmbach says his client, 24-year-old Kenneth Mazik, didn't intend to harm anyone, cause any damage, or disrupt air traffic.
"I just believe he was having some irrational thoughts," Kalmbach told KYW Newsradio after today's hearing.
Mazik crashed his Jeep through a locked gate on the perimeter of the airport as an airplane was approaching for landing on a nearby runway.
"I believe he was just intending, in his mind, to get away from some people he thought were chasing him," Kalmbach says. And Kalmbach says Mazik takes Adderall, usually prescribed to treat ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
Authorities clocked Mazik hitting speeds of more than 100 miles per hour on runway 9R, as the arriving plane, at about 500 feet above the runway, was quickly diverted and placed in a holding pattern.
Philadelphia police gave chase and arrested him on a taxiway (see related stories).
