SUV Driver's Joyride on New York Railroad Tracks Ends in Fiery Blaze — and DUI Charges: Police

Mar. 15, 2025

The SUV on the train tracks in New York on Dec. 8.Photo:MTAPD

MTAPD

A Brooklyn man has been arrested for driving his car along railroad tracks in New York.

The suspect drove approximately “half a mile east” on the tracks before stopping after two tires of the vehicle became “severely damaged” and ignited, according to the release.

“Detectives determined the alleged suspect drove onto the LIRR Main Line tracks from grade level, west of the Elmont-UBS Arena station.” The driver eventually stopped “just east of the Bellerose Station” as the fire started.

SUV is lifted off train tracks in New York.MTAPD

The Floral Park Fire Department arrived at the scene to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was removed from the tracks at approximately 8:30 p.m.

Hidalgo was also charged with first-degree reckless endangerment and third-degree criminal trespassing, per the release.

In avideoof the incident posted on Instagram, an SUV can be seen driving bumpily across the tracks near Elmont-UBS Arena station.

The incident caused “significant damage to the third rail and other track infrastructure,” police said.

The car was removed off the track following the incident on Dec. 8.MTAPD

There were also severe disruptions across train lines with significant delays on the Ronkonkoma, Port Jefferson and Oyster Bay branches. Service was restored at Hempstead Branch ten minutes after the car’s removal.

Repairs were made to the tracks once the car was removed from the scene and the investigation is ongoing, per the MTAPD.

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“This kind of thing is very embarrassing for like being late and things like that because it can cause delay and its very dangerous,” an LIRR rider said of the incident toABC 7 New York,

“It’s very weird. But it is unsettling no doubt. And if you’re a passenger on the train? Yeah what would you think about that,” they added.

source: people.com