A reckless joyride on New York’s railroad tracks ended in a fiery crash early Friday morning when an SUV collided with a train, causing a significant fire and disrupting rail service for hours. The driver, who was unharmed but arrested at the scene, now faces several charges including reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.
Authorities responded to the crash around 4 a.m. after the driver, a 33-year-old man from Brooklyn, veered off the road and drove directly onto an active set of railroad tracks in Long Island. Witnesses reported seeing the SUV speeding down the tracks, with the driver seemingly unaware of the approaching train. The vehicle was struck by an Amtrak train, which was traveling at a low speed at the time.
The impact caused the SUV to burst into flames, but fortunately, the train’s passengers were not injured. The driver, who was quickly extricated from the vehicle, was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence, though police are awaiting results from blood tests. Investigators believe alcohol may have played a role in the crash.
“The driver put not only his own life at risk, but the lives of the train passengers and rail workers as well,” said Detective Sarah Miller of the Suffolk County Police Department. “It’s a miracle no one was seriously injured.”
The fiery wreck forced the suspension of train services along the tracks for several hours as emergency responders worked to contain the blaze and clear the wreckage. Firefighters worked for nearly an hour to extinguish the flames from the burning SUV. The thick smoke also temporarily affected several nearby businesses and residential areas.
Authorities are now investigating the driver’s motives for the incident. The driver reportedly claimed to be “just having fun” and did not intend to cause harm. However, given the severity of the crash and the potential danger to public safety, the charges against him are expected to be severe.
Train services resumed later that morning, though daily delays were reported. The incident is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by reckless driving, particularly in areas near active railroad tracks.