A plane was forced to delay its descent after a Butler man took a joy ride in his car on the county airport runway on Valentine’s Day.

The night resulted in felony-level accusations against Mario Galietti, 53.

On Tuesday, Feb. 28, Penn Township police charged Galietti with felonies aggravated assault and risking catastrophe, misdemeanors driving under the influence, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct engaged in fighting, and summaries trespassing and harassment.

Police said they responded to the Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport on Feb. 14 for a report of a vehicle driving on the runway. Upon arrival, flight staff helped officers locate the disoriented driver, later identified as Galietti.

Surveillance footage showed that Galietti was on the property for more than 27 minutes, with nearly 12 minutes on the runway.

During those 12 minutes, a plane was planning to land. Police said flight staff alerted the pilot, who circled the airport until it was safe to descend.

Galietti told police he had “reactive low blood sugar,” and he refused to submit to field sobriety tests.

Butler Ambulance Service personnel tested Galietti’s blood sugar levels at the scene. According to documents, two tests yielded normal results. The ambulance transported Galietti to Butler Memorial Hospital for more tests at his insistence.

Police said BMH doctors told Galietti he would have to submit to a blood draw for a test of his glucose levels. When Galietti tried to leave the room and a nurse asked him to get back into bed, Galietti struck her in the chest and tried to shut the door on her.

Hospital staff and officers restrained Galietti to the bed, where he continued to resist and was eventually sedated, police said.

A later blood test showed Galietti’s blood glucose level within the normal range, and his blood alcohol content level at 0.203%. In Pennsylvania, the legal limit is 0.08%.

A preliminary hearing for Galietti is not yet scheduled.