A New York City man was arrested on Sunday after allegedly driving his SUV onto Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) tracks while intoxicated, causing a fire and significant damage to the rail infrastructure, police said.
Basilio Hidalgo, 40, drove the vehicle onto the tracks around 4:52 p.m., prompting a fiery scene when two of the SUV’s tires caught fire, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department (MTAPD). Photos from the scene showed Hidalgo’s SUV being removed by a crane from the tracks.
The MTAPD reported that Hidalgo drove approximately half a mile east on the tracks before stopping, with the fire igniting after the tires were severely damaged. Authorities said officers observed the black Honda SUV stopped between Bellerose and Floral Park Stations on the LIRR Main Line tracks.
Investigators determined that Hidalgo had driven onto the tracks west of the Elmont-UBS Arena station. The driver eventually stopped near Bellerose Station as the fire spread. A viral video of the incident showed the SUV speeding across the tracks.
The incident caused “significant damage” to the third rail and other track infrastructure, police said. Hidalgo was arrested without incident and charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree criminal trespassing, and driving while intoxicated.
