60-year-old woman arrested for DWI after crashing onto Long Island Rail Road tracks in Garden City.
A Long Island woman faces serious charges following an incident on Tuesday night involving impaired driving and a crash at the Nassau Boulevard Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) station. The event unfolded shortly after 8 p.m. when the Garden City Police Department responded to reports of a vehicle on the railroad tracks.
Authorities discovered that the vehicle, reportedly driven by 60-year-old Christine Riordan of Garden City, collided with two parked cars, crashed through a fence, made contact with the railroad tracks, and struck both the third rail and a platform post before coming to a halt. Despite the significant damage caused, law enforcement confirmed that no injuries were reported in the incident.
As a result of the crash, LIRR service on the Hempstead Branch was temporarily suspended, creating disruptions for commuters in the area. According to reports from News12 Long Island, service was fully restored by 3 a.m. the following morning. However, a service alert issued by the LIRR on Wednesday morning warned passengers of multiple delays and one cancellation attributed to the vehicle being on the tracks near Nassau Boulevard.
Christine Riordan was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI). She was arraigned in Nassau County District Court on Wednesday, where she pleaded not guilty to the charges, as indicated by online court records. Riordan is scheduled to return to court on October 15, where further legal proceedings will take place.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by impaired driving and the ripple effect such behavior can have on public transportation services. The swift response from police and the LIRR was commendable, ensuring that normal operations resumed as quickly as possible for the benefit of commuters in the region. The Garden City community is now on alert, reflecting on the implications of this event and its impact on public safety.
Media News Source advises all motorists to refrain from driving under the influence and to adhere to safety regulations to prevent such incidents in the future.