By Gabriel Rom
A 25-year-old Queens man who allegedly drove his car along Long Island Rail Road tracks in Long Island City for a mile has been arrested, the MTA said.
Ronny Mora, of Corona was apparently drunk when he entered the LIRR right of way at the Borden Avenue railroad crossing shortly after 11 p.m. Sunday at an undetermined date and then drove his car on the tracks east for about a mile, straight past the LIRR’s Hunterspoint Avenue Station, according to police.
The MTA Police announced Monday the arrest of Mora, who allegedly drove his car for a mile on the LIRR tracks in Long Island City stopping only when his vehicle struck a third rail and burst into flames.
Police said Mora abandoned his car as it smoldered and then caught fire as he was walking back to the crossing where he told LIRR employees that he was “sorry” he had left his car on the tracks.
The fire forced the railroad to suspend service between Penn Station and Jamaica for nearly three hours while the Fire Department extinguished the blaze and LIRR personnel repaired the damaged third rail.
MTA Police said Mora was charged with unlawful interference with a train, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, criminal trespassing, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.
Reach reporter Gabriel Rom by e-mail at grom@
