A Corona man last Sunday was charged with driving while intoxicated and other offenses after he allegedly drove his car for a mile on the Long Island Rail Road tracks in Long Island City, stopping only when his vehicle struck a third rail and burst into flames, according to a Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokesman.
Ronny Mora, 25, was arraigned on a criminal complaint charging him with DWI, unlawful interference with a train, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, criminal trespassing, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident, MTA Police said on Monday.
Bail was set at $1,500 cash or $3,000 bond. As of Wednesday afternoon, it was unclear if Mora remained in custody or had posted bail.
Mora was allegedly drunk when he entered the LIRR right of way at the Borden Avenue railroad crossing shortly after 11 p.m. He then drove the car on the tracks east for about three quarters of a mile, police said, past the LIRR’s Hunters Point Avenue Station.
Cops said Mora abandoned his car as it caught fire, then walked back to the crossing, where he told LIRR employees that he was “sorry,” but had left his vehicle on the tracks.
MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan said the fire forced the Railroad to suspend service between Penn Station and Jamaica for nearly three hours while the city Fire Department extinguished the blaze and LIRR personnel repaired the damaged third rail.
By Michael V. Cusenza michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
