A Brooklyn man was taken into custody on Sunday afternoon after allegedly driving his SUV on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) tracks for half a mile while under the influence, triggering delays and infrastructure damage.
Basilio Hidalgo, 40, now faces multiple charges, including driving while intoxicated, third-degree criminal trespass, and first-degree reckless endangerment, authorities confirmed.
The incident unfolded around 4:50 p.m. on Dec. 8, when Hidalgo reportedly steered his black Honda SUV onto the LIRR’s main line tracks between the Bellerose and Floral Park stations. According to law enforcement sources, two of the vehicle’s tires burst into flames, sparking fires on the track and also caused damage to the third rail.
Emergency responders, including the Floral Park Fire Department, quickly arrived to extinguish the flames, averting further escalation.
The disruptions prompted the LIRR to temporarily halt service on its Hempstead Branch until 8:40 p.m. While the Ronkonkoma, Oyster Bay, and Huntington lines resumed operations under speed restrictions shortly after 5:30 p.m., passengers faced extended delays.
Investigators with the MTA Police Department (MTAPD) determined that Hidalgo entered the tracks from a grade-level crossing west of the Elmont-UBS Arena station. He reportedly continued driving east for about half a mile, damaging the third rail and other track components before his vehicle became immobilized just past the Bellerose station.
Hidalgo was apprehended at the scene without incident. The MTAPD confirmed that its investigation into the circumstances of the crash remains ongoing.
