In New York, a significant incident occurred when Basilio Hidalgo, a 40-year-old Brooklyn man, was arrested for driving his SUV along the railroad tracks. This incident not only led to a fiery blaze but also caused severe disruptions to train lines and significant delays.

Charges and Incident Details

Hidalgo was charged with driving while intoxicated (DUI) after driving his SUV onto the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) at around 4:52 p.m. on Sunday, December 8. The vehicle drove approximately “half a mile east” on the tracks before stopping when two tires became “severely damaged” and ignited. Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department officers observed the black Honda Sport Utility Vehicle stopped on the Main Line tracks between Bellerose and Floral Park Stations. Detectives determined that the alleged suspect drove onto the LIRR Main Line tracks from grade level, west of the Elmont-UBS Arena station, and eventually stopped “just east of the Bellerose Station” as the fire started.The Floral Park Fire Department arrived to extinguish the fire, and 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. In a video posted on Instagram, the SUV can be seen driving bumpily across the tracks near the Elmont-UBS Arena station. This incident caused “significant damage to the third rail and other track infrastructure,” and there were severe disruptions across train lines with significant delays on the Ronkonkoma, Port Jefferson, and Oyster Bay branches. Service was restored at the Hempstead Branch ten minutes after the car's removal. Repairs were made to the tracks once the car was removed, and the investigation is ongoing.An LIRR rider expressed their concerns about the incident, saying, “This kind of thing is very embarrassing for like being late and things like that because it can cause delay and it's very dangerous. 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?”This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of following traffic rules and being cautious around railroad tracks. Such actions can have serious consequences not only for the individuals involved but also for the entire transportation system. We must remain vigilant and ensure the safety of ourselves and others on the roads and tracks.