Crime

Lexington man arrested after allegedly driving on runway at Blue Grass Airport

The Blue Grass Regional Airport in Lexington, Ky, Thursday, August 3, 2023.
The Blue Grass Regional Airport in Lexington, Ky, Thursday, August 3, 2023. Silas Walker/Lexington Herald-Le

A Lexington man is accused of driving his personal vehicle through a fence at Blue Grass Airport and onto the airport’s runway, according to court documents.

The incident happened sometime after 4:30 p.m. Monday, according to Lauren Simmerman, community relations manager with the airport. Court documents say the driver, 51-year-old Steven Hockensmith, drove a Toyota Camry through a fence near the west side of the airport’s property on Versailles Road and drove on the airport’s runway, taxiway and aviation ramp.

Hockensmith also drove around several commercial and private airplanes before crashing into a golf cart, according to his arrest citation. After the collision, video surveillance shows Hockensmith allegedly backing up and hitting the golf cart a second time.

Officers found Hockensmith standing outside the vehicle and arrested him. His arrest citation says he caused substantial damage to the fence and golf cart, but the exact amount of damage is unknown.

Hockensmith admitted to intentionally driving through the fence to gain access to the airport, according to his arrest citation. Simmerman said airport operations were unaffected during the incident.

Hockensmith has been charged with first-degree wanton endangerment, second-degree criminal trespassing and two counts of first-degree criminal mischief, according to his arrest citation. He is being held at the Fayette County Detention Center on a $10,000 bond, according to jail records.

BEHIND THE STORY

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How criminal charges work

Suspects are charged by law enforcement based on initial allegations and evidence that have not yet been proven in court or through jury trial.

This story was originally published February 5, 2025 at 11:42 AM.

Christopher Leach
Lexington Herald-Leader
Chris Leach is a breaking news reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He joined the newspaper in September 2021 after previously working with the Anderson News and the Cats Pause. Chris graduated from UK in December 2018. Support my work with a digital subscription
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