On Friday evening around 7:30 p.m. ET, a man driving a Mercedes sedan drove into the McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) in Romulus, Michigan, plowing through the glass entrance into the Delta Air Lines check-in area. Six people were treated at the scene by the Wayne County Airport Authority Fire Department for minor injuries related to debris contact, and the driver was taken into custody. There is no verified connection to Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown — social speculation tying him to the incident is false. Authorities are investigating how the crash occurred and what motivated it.
What Happened: The Crash at McNamara Terminal
Late Friday night — Jan. 23, 2026 — chaos unfolded as a black Mercedes sedan smashed through the main entrance of the McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, one of the nation’s busiest international hubs. The vehicle bypassed exterior glass doors and metal barricades to come to rest near the Delta Airlines baggage check-in and ticket counter.
Video circulating on social media and captured by bystanders shows the Mercedes inside the terminal, surrounded by shattered glass and displaced barriers. Witnesses described startled travelers and airline staff backing away as airport security, TSA agents, and police swarmed the scene to secure the area.
Airport officials confirmed:
- The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
- The vehicle struck a ticket counter after entering the McNamara Terminal.
- Six people were evaluated by first responders.
- The driver was detained by security and remains in custody as authorities seek to determine motive and cause.
Injuries, Airport Response & Operations
Initial confusion about injuries shifted as emergency responders reported that six people were treated at the scene by the Wayne County Airport Authority Fire Department. According to airport and airline statements:
- Three Delta employees encountered debris and were evaluated by medical personnel, though there were no serious injuries reported.
- Other individuals may have received brief attention for shock or minor scrapes.
- Airport operations were not significantly disrupted as flights continued, and the check-in area was cleared and secured.
Passengers and staff described a rapid and coordinated response from airport security, TSA, and local law enforcement, whose presence likely prevented a more serious escalation.
The Driver & Detention
After the car came to rest inside the terminal, video shows the driver — reportedly wearing a Detroit Lions jersey — exiting the vehicle. In multiple clips, he appears to be shouting or incoherent before being taken into custody by airport police and security officers. No official details about his identity have been released, and authorities have not publicly stated whether impairment, a medical episode, or another factor played a role.
Rumors Debunked: Amon-Ra St. Brown
Amid early social chatter, some online posts misidentified the driver as NFL wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, likely due to the Lions jersey. There is no credible or verified evidence linking St. Brown to this incident — media outlets and police statements make no connection, and such claims are unfounded speculation circulating on social feeds. Any suggestion tying a public figure to this without official confirmation should be regarded as false.
Security & Perimeter Questions
Bystander footage and analysis from local outlets highlight that metal barricades and safety bollards were present outside the entrance yet did not stop the vehicle from breaching the terminal. This has raised questions about airport perimeter defenses and how vehicles might circumvent obstacles meant to protect terminals from vehicular incursions.
Authorities are expected to review surveillance video, interviews, and physical evidence to understand how the vehicle gained access and whether any security protocols failed.
Investigative Status: What Authorities Are Saying
At this stage:
- The Wayne County Airport Authority Police Department is leading the investigation, with support from local law enforcement.
- No motive or cause has been publicly confirmed — investigators have not said whether the crash was deliberate, accidental, related to a health episode, or influenced by substances.
- No charges have yet been announced as the investigation continues.
- Airport officials have not released the driver’s identity, pending further inquiry.
Officials have noted that they are gathering information and expect to release more details once the investigative work is further along.
What Passengers Experienced
Travelers near the Delta check-in counters described panic and shock as the vehicle barreled through what should have been a secure pedestrian area. Many recalled the loud crash, the shattering of glass, and the near-immediate arrival of security personnel.
One passenger, quoted in local reports, said the response by TSA and law enforcement was swift and likely prevented greater harm. Community reactions on social platforms also suggest a mixture of relief that the incident was contained and concern about how unpredictable such breaches can be.
Impact on Airport Operations
Despite the dramatic visuals:
- McNamara Terminal operations continued, with other check-in counters and flight operations unaffected.
- Travelers in the immediate area were rerouted or held briefly while security and cleanup crews restored the terminal environment.
- No flights were reported as canceled directly due to the incident.
Airport officials advised travelers to allow extra time for security screening near impacted areas as cleanup and investigative steps proceed.
Legal and Safety Considerations
As with any incident involving vehicles breaching public spaces:
- Airport security protocols will undergo scrutiny, especially regarding bollard placement and barrier strength.
- Liability and criminal charges depend on motive, intent, and any impairments uncovered during the investigation.
- Any injuries — even minor — may result in claims or compensations, particularly for employees struck by debris.
Authorities have preserved footage and statements as part of the ongoing inquiry, and airport officials will likely brief the public once more information is available.
Conclusion: Quick Response, Ongoing Questions
The Mercedes crash into McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport was a startling breach of a major airport’s secure space, but it ended with no serious injuries and the driver in custody, thanks to fast action by security and police. Six people received treatment at the scene, but flight operations continued largely unaffected. The incident raises important questions about security barriers and driver behavior, and importantly, the unverified rumor involving Amon-Ra St. Brown should be dismissed.
As investigators continue their work, the emphasis remains on understanding why this happened and how similar incidents can be prevented — without jumping to conclusions based solely on viral social media speculation.
