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Pilot Accused Of Having Cocaine After Chase (Northwest pilots gone wild; again)
Clickondetroit.com ^ | April 15, 2007 | Not shown

Posted on 04/16/2007 5:07:17 AM PDT by LiberationIT

PORT HURON, Mich. -- A Northwest Airlines pilot made a U-turn at a U.S.-Canada border crossing, then led deputies on a chase in his Hummer before being subdued and found to be holding cocaine, a sheriff's officer said Sunday.

The 50-year-old pilot posted $10,000 bond Sunday but was being held until his blood alcohol level fell to a level considered sober, said St. Clair County sheriff's Lt. A.J. Foster.

Walter L. Dinalko of St. Paul, Minn., apparently had a change of heart after driving onto the Blue Water Bridge toward Sarnia, Ontario, Saturday night, Foster said.

Dinalko turned around three times, then drove the wrong way off the bridge and headed west onto the eastbound lanes of Interstate 94, Foster said.

U.S. Customs agents followed the pilot and alerted sheriff's deputies, who closed down the expressway and gave chase, Foster said.

Deputies laid down stop sticks, which flattened the Hummer's tires. Dinalko stopped but refused to surrender to deputies, Foster said.

"He started giving them a hard time, and a tussle ensued," Foster said. Deputies subdued him and found suspected cocaine on the floor of the vehicle and in Dinalko's pocket, the lieutenant said.

The pilot was taken to a hospital to test for drug poisoning and then to jail, where he was held overnight. He was arraigned Sunday on multiple felony charges, including cocaine possession, eluding police and assaulting officers, Foster said.

It was not immediately known when Dinalko flew into Detroit or when he had been scheduled to fly out. A message seeking comment was left Sunday for Eagan, Minn.-based Northwest.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: drugs; flight; pilot
No comment.
1 posted on 04/16/2007 5:07:19 AM PDT by LiberationIT
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To: LiberationIT

Failed to notice that the “No Snorting” sign was illuminated?


2 posted on 04/16/2007 5:10:18 AM PDT by Hegemony Cricket (Never let it be said that there are things we would never let be said.)
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To: Hegemony Cricket
That’s two good chuckles this morning; your comment and your screen name. Thanks.
3 posted on 04/16/2007 5:16:39 AM PDT by LiberationIT
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To: LiberationIT

I hope he was more decisive when lining up for the runway.


4 posted on 04/16/2007 5:20:33 AM PDT by NonValueAdded (Prevent Glo-Ball Warming ... turn out the sun when not in use)
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To: LiberationIT

No problemo, my FRiend!


5 posted on 04/16/2007 5:27:26 AM PDT by Hegemony Cricket (Never let it be said that there are things we would never let be said.)
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To: LiberationIT
Northwest Airlines pilot, of course.

Port Huron is the birthplace of the SDS.

6 posted on 04/16/2007 5:27:28 AM PDT by Verginius Rufus
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To: LiberationIT
Dinalko turned around three times, then drove the wrong way off the bridge and headed west onto the eastbound lanes of Interstate 94, Foster said.

Sound like he confused his GPS navigation system. They can really get cranky and insistent once you've made that first wrong turn.

7 posted on 04/16/2007 5:29:53 AM PDT by angkor
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To: LiberationIT
"Guilty men run when no one pursuith..."

He must have been pretty wasted and paranoid. If straight, he would have just waved, smiled, and gone right through.

8 posted on 04/16/2007 5:30:14 AM PDT by AmericaUnited
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To: LiberationIT

Brings new meaning to the Mile High Club.


9 posted on 04/16/2007 5:38:42 AM PDT by mtbopfuyn (I think the border is kind of an artificial barrier - San Antonio councilwoman Patti Radle)
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To: mtbopfuyn

Bitchin' blow dude!

10 posted on 04/16/2007 6:20:57 AM PDT by billorites (freepo ergo sum)
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To: LiberationIT
but was being held until his blood alcohol level fell to a level considered sober

Mix and Match--He was DUI booze too.

11 posted on 04/16/2007 6:33:33 AM PDT by radar101 (Dream Team--Hunter&Thompson)
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To: AmericaUnited

Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do...


12 posted on 04/16/2007 6:58:38 AM PDT by glorgau
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To: LiberationIT
Is this the same guy who went ballistic before a flight and started screaming at the passengers before being pulled from a flight last week?

A difference of opinion with his dealer?

13 posted on 04/16/2007 7:04:34 AM PDT by Publius6961 (MSM: Israelis are killed by rockets; Lebanese are killed by Israelis.)
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To: Publius6961
I thought the name sounded familiar so I googled it, but only found references to this escapade.

It does make me wonder about the hothead though. I've heard of mean drunks. Can cocaine do the same??

14 posted on 04/16/2007 7:09:59 AM PDT by LiberationIT
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To: LiberationIT

Cocaine is a helluva drug.


15 posted on 04/16/2007 7:10:50 AM PDT by dfwgator (The University of Florida - Still Championship U)
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