Before being taken into custody, a Brooklyn man caused a fire and mayhem on the rails by driving his SUV along the LIRR tracks.#NewYorkNY #NewYork #Crime #NewYork
NEW YORK, On Sunday, December 8, 2024, a driver who was apparently under the influence of alcohol drove his SUV onto the lines of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) in New York, causing a startling occurrence. After going a short way along the lines, the black Honda finally caught fire.
The Incident and Arrest
After the risky incident, 40-year-old Brooklyn resident Basilio Hidalgo was taken into custody. The Police Department of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that he was charged with criminal trespassing, reckless endangerment, and driving under the influence.
Authorities were initially notified that an SUV had entered the LIRR tracks on Sunday afternoon, according to MTA Police. After stopping on the Main Line rails between Bellerose and Floral Park Stations, officers were able to identify the car around 4:52 p.m.
According to the investigation, Hidalgo had driven the SUV from a grade-level crossing west of the Elmont-UBS Arena Station into the rails. He stopped slightly east of Bellerose Station after continuing east for around half a mile.
The car didn’t stop until its tires were badly damaged, which led to damage to the SUV’s front end and the tires catching fire. The fire was swiftly put out by the Floral Park Fire Department.
Disruptions to LIRR Service
LIRR service was severely disrupted by the incident. Damage to the third rail and other track infrastructure resulted in temporary suspensions and delays. Passengers experienced midday delays as a result of the disruptions to certain train routes.
It took several hours for the car to be removed from the rails. The SUV was removed from the scene by track maintainers using a hydraulic lift, and by 8:30 p.m., the rails were ready for regular use.
Ongoing Investigation
The MTA Police are still looking into how Hidalgo’s SUV got onto the lines. No more information about the events leading up to the incident has been made public.
CONNECTED TOPICS: New York, Crime, and Accidents
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