Drunk Driver Arrested After Hitting Parked Car, Fleeing On Tire Rim Until Vehicle Catches Fire

LINDENHURST, NY - A 37-year-old Massapequa man was arrested for driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a crash with property damage late Wednesday night.

Suffolk County Police say that Anthony Lacorte, 37, of Massapequa, was driving a 2015 GMC Sierra pickup truck when he crashed into a parked car in front of 21 Lido Parkway in Lindenhurst at around 11:40PM on Wednesday night.

As a result of the crash, the pickup truck lost its front driver’s side tire. Police say that Lacorte continued driving on the tire rim, causing sparks to catch the pickup truck on fire near the intersection of 2nd Avenue and South 4th Street. Lacorte then left the pickup truck and fled the scene as it became almost fully engulfed in flames near the intersection, according to police.

Credit: BlueRedLine Photo

Suffolk County Police 1st Precinct patrol officers apprehended Lacorte a short distance away after he appeared in the middle of the street with his hands up while approaching officers.

Lacorte is charged with Driving While Intoxicated and Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident with Property Damage. He was held overnight at the First Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at the First District Court in Central Islip later on Thursday.