Man Drives Onto LIRR Tracks; Causes Fire, Disruptions: MTA Police

ELMONT, NY — A man drove his SUV onto the Long Island Rail Road tracks west of the Elmont-UBS Arena station on Sunday afternoon, the MTA Police said.

Basilio Hidalgo, 40, of Brooklyn, was arrested and charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree criminal trespassing and driving while intoxicated, the MTA police said.

Hidalgo was seen in a black Honda SUV stopped on the LIRR's Main Line between Bellerose and Floral Park, the MTA said.

He drove approximately half a mile east on the tracks, just east of the Bellerose station, the MTA said.

Hidalgo stopped after two of his vehicle's tires ignited. The incident caused damage to the third rail and other track infrastructure, the MTA Police said on Monday.

LIRR suspended service on the Hempstead Branch, with significant delays on the Ronkonkoma, Port Jefferson and Oyster Bay Branches while the investigation took place and repairs were made.

Two tracks on the Main Line were restored at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Sunday with a speed restriction for Ronkonkoma, Huntington and Oyster Bay. By 8:30 p.m., the SUV was cleared from the track.