View Photos of LIRR Crew Members Removing Wrecked Auto from Tracks
On Sunday, December 8, 2024, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department (MTAPD) officers responded to the scene of an SUV which drove onto Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) tracks. At approximately 16:52 hours, MTAPD officers observed a black Honda Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) stopped on the Main Line tracks of the LIRR between Bellerose and Floral Park Stations.
MTAPD Detectives determined the alleged suspect drove onto the LIRR Main Line tracks from grade level, west of the Elmont-UBS Arena station. The driver then drove approximately half a mile east on the tracks, until the SUV came to a stop just east of the Bellerose Station.
The SUV was stopped after two of the vehicle’s tires became severely damaged, causing front-end damage to the SUV and the tires to ignite on fire, which was extinguished by Floral Park Fire Department. The incident caused significant damage to the third rail and other track infrastructure. The driver of the SUV was arrested on-scene and immediately taken into police custody.
As a result of the above incident, LIRR suspended service on the Hempstead Branch and recorded significant delays on the Ronkonkoma, Port Jefferson, and Oyster Bay Branches while an on-scene investigation took place, repairs were made to the tracks and the car was removed off the tracks.
Service Restoration
- Two tracks on the Main Line were restored at approximately 5:30 p.m. with a speed restriction for Ronkonkoma, Huntington and Oyster Bay service
- At approximately 8:30 p.m., the SUV was cleared off the track, by LIRR track maintainers using a hydraulic lift, to lift the car off the tracks.
- At approximately 8:40 p.m., service was fully restored to the Hempstead Branch.
MTAPD is the lead on the investigation and responded to the scene of the incident along with LIRR Fire Marshall, Nassau County Emergency Services, Floral Park Fire Department and the Floral Park Police Department. The investigation into how the Black Honda SUV entered onto the tracks is in its early stages and is ongoing.
Arrested
- Basilio Hidalgo, 40, Brooklyn NY
Charges
- Reckless Endangerment (1st Degree)
- Criminal Trespassing (3rd Degree)
- Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)