Driver slams through DTW Delta terminal
A scary scene shocked onlookers at Metro Airport’s McNamara Terminal on January 23, 2026 as a driver crashed his vehicle through one of the ticket counter entrances.
The Mercedes-Benz in question seemed to approach the terminal normally (left lane), but suddenly took a sharp right turn and crashed through the glass doors, coming to rest at one of the Delta Airlines ticket counters.
According to an airport spokesperson, the driver exited the vehicle and began rambling incoherently. “Not things a regular person would say… but gibberish.” Although the driver stated his name at the scene, the name was not released as of February 6, as the subject was undergoing a battery of mental health tests in an effort to determine a motive. The Wayne County Airport Authority indicated toxicology test results from the Michigan State Police were still being processed, and resulted in a delay with putting forth any appropriate charges.
Potential terrorism was almost immediately ruled out, per spokesperson Tadarial Sturdivant: “… as a result of us, working with our federal partners, of statements that we obtained from the driver, as well as making contact with family members, there was insufficient evidence to link this to any type of terrorism.”
Six injuries to bystanders inside the terminal were reported, but there were no deaths. Sturdivant hinted that proper safety protocol to prevent these incidents was woefully lacking. “We immediately launched a review of all of our safety systems from the top to the bottom,” he said.
As a temporary measure, the airport employed the use of “Jersey Barriers,” the 9000 lb. concrete sections, in an effort to quell any immediate danger, but more permanent installations would have to go through the airport’s engineering department for review, given the extra weight they would add to the curbside area.
Fortunately, operation delays at the terminal were minimal, and by the following day, traffic flow was normal and unaffected.
ICE facility springing from nowhere
In an announcement that took everyone – residents and local leaders – by surprise, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in mid-February that they had secured purchase on a warehouse located near I-275 and Ecorse Road for use as a detention center for those facing deportation under President Donald Trump’s wide-sweeping protocol to address immigration issues.
Feedback and general communication with DHS was extremely vague. Romulus Mayor Robert McCraight and Michigan State Senator Darrin Camilleri expressed disappointment on being informed so abruptly. “There are a lot of concerned residents over there, not only a neighborhood, but a rural protected area,” McCraight stated.
Added Senator Camilleri: “It’s not shocking given the way ICE is operating nationwide. They don’t offer details, they don’t give explanations, they often operate in secret.”
The Romulus building purchase and proposed detention center location would be part of a nationwide crackdown on illegal aliens, which had been occurring with much negative press since late 2025; with the controversies in Minneapolis, MN still fresh on the public’s minds. DHS did state the proposed 500-bed facility could bring up to 1,400 new jobs and over $150 million in an economic boost, with an estimated $33 million going to the city’s tax coffers. This wasn’t enough to sway opinions.
Over the weekend of February 22-23, a peaceful group gathered outside Romulus City Hall to protest DHS’s move, but were met by a group of counter-protesters, with several small skirmishes resulting. The next day, Romulus City Council passed an unanimous resolution against the detention facility’s location. Residents and the general public literally pounded the doors to get into the meeting. One attendee suggested the building either be torn down or taken under eminent domain to prohibit the sale.
DTE, Zug Island industry violate Act
Also in February, the United States District Court, Eastern Michigan chapter, announced a fine of $100 million to be levied against DTE Energy for ignoring Clean Air Act protocols centering around Zug Island’s EES Coke facility. Harmful amounts of sulfur dioxide had been released in the air on a daily basis, to the tune of 3,200 tons back in 2018, when normal levels had been established at 2,100 tons yearly. The facility, which uses coal and other raw materials to produce metallurgical coke, had been in violation as far back as 2014.
DTE Energy and two of its subsidiaries are claimed to have ignored clean-air initiatives when they in fact had full control over EES in decision-making. By breaking the standard, the defendants in the case were able to save $70 million, which were later earmarked for other purposes.
Spirit Airlines immediately ceases operations
A hopeful reprieve in the form of a government bailout for troubled Spirit Airlines fell apart at the last minute at the end of April, with the airline abruptly cutting off all service nationwide, including a main base at Detroit Metro Airport, on May 2nd at 3:00 AM.
The last Spirit flight ever to depart is shown (at left) on the taxiway at Metro Airport; it was flight 1833 from Detroit to Dallas / Fort Worth. It became the first major airline to shut down since Midway Airlines, shortly after the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Spirit, Metro Airport’s second-busiest carrier by volume after Delta Airlines, had been struggling while maintaining their low-cost blueprint since the 2020 CO-VID pandemic. Two potential mergers had been struck down. The airline filed for bankruptcy a second time in August, 2025, but were still thought to be able to survive, as detailed in a March, 2026 restructuring support agreement. At the time of the second bankruptcy, Spirit still averaged 35-45 daily originating flights from DTW and had recently added several cities to its routes, including return trips to Boston and Philadelphia. The airline had hoped jet fuel prices would remain fixed, as they sought to reorganize internally with no affect on customers, looking toward a bankruptcy emergence during the summer.
However, the country’s entry into war with Iran resulted in jet fuel prices soaring at the end of February. With most fuel supplies laying dormant in Iran’s Strait of Hormuz and a frightening look at the geo-political climate overall, all fuels witnessed sharp increases. Spirit claimed they would quickly run out of their cash reserves if the prices hit a breaking point. They would then approach the federal government, seeking a $500 million bailout, which included the option of the government becoming 90% majority owner. Although there was some initial interest, key bondholders would reject the terms of the loan, leaving Spirit with no alternative but to concede.
The actual announcements and closure came rapid-fire and took everyone by surprise. Two hours after the final flight landed in Dallas, the customer service line and website went down. Customers could not talk to anyone about re-routes or refunds. Many of the other legacy carriers would, however, assist the stranded passengers by offering reduced rates on their aircrafts.
In total, 17,000 employees lost their jobs with literally no notice. A total of 643 employees were affected at Metro Airport, including 321 flight attendants, 177 total pilot personnel, and 53 senior technicians, in addition to administrative staff. The lost flights represented over 30% of the number of flights taking off from the Evans (formerly North) Terminal.