Pilot's case goes to grand jury

SUFFOLK, Va., April 1 (UPI) -- The case against a helicopter pilot accused of flying while intoxicated at Peanut Fest in Suffolk, Va., last year was sent to a grand jury.

Ronald John Davis Jr. of Naples, Fla., was flying erratically on the afternoon of Oct. 14, the final day of the annual festival, the (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot reported Tuesday.

Witnesses told authorities Davis made fast takeoffs, swooped over tents and cars, and dropped quickly while flying over festival-goers, the newspaper reported.

Brent Bunn testified that he could have reached out of the Bell 206L-1 and touched the heads of the people in line for the next flight.

The newspaper reported that some witnesses at the preliminary hearing said they noticed a strong odor of alcohol about Davis.

His attorney, Monte Kuligowski, said Davis had only a couple of beers about midnight the night before.