Former Adelphi University president Christine Riordan faces upgraded charges in alleged DWI crash at LIRR station
Christine Riordan had been president of Adelphi University since 2015, before abruptly leaving earlier this year. Credit: Randee Daddona
A former Adelphi University president faces upgraded charges in connection with an alleged drunken driving crash at the LIRR Nassau Boulevard station last week, in which she "narrowly" missed commuters, drove onto the tracks and caused an electrical explosion, a felony complaint shows.
Police had charged Christine Riordan, 60, with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated after the Sept. 30 crash at the Long Island Rail Road Station in Garden City, which is not far from the academic institution she once led. She now faces felony charges of second-degree criminal mischief and first-degree reckless endangerment.
Public records indicate Riordan pleaded not guilty in Nassau First District Court in Hempstead on Tuesday.
Riordan's lawyer, Steven Gaitman, said in an emailed statement Wednesday, "We believe there was a vehicle malfunction and are working with forensic experts to determine exactly what occurred to cause the rapid acceleration. What we do know is that Ms. Riordan was not driving while intoxicated and we caution against a rush to judgment."
He continued, "We are hopeful that the [district attorney's] office will carefully review the facts we are gathering, including a timeline and witnesses who will confirm Ms. Riordan did not consume alcohol, and dismiss these charges. Ms. Riordan is grateful that no one was injured and looks forward to clearing her name."
Christine Riordan's car on the LIRR tracks at the Nassau Boulevard station Sept. 30. Credit: Lou Minutoli
The crash, which happened around 8 p.m., was caught on surveillance video, according to the felony complaint. A detective with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department reviewed the footage and saw that Riordan drove her black BMW through a metal fence, “narrowly missing pedestrian commuters” who were “running onto the platform” to dodge the vehicle, according to the charging document.
Riordan then drove onto the tracks, resulting in an “explosion in electricity from the third rail and causing damage to both running rails and third rail tracks,” the felony complaint states.
The complaint states the property damage exceeded $1,500.
Police previously said Riordan also hit two vehicles. She and a passenger were not hurt, police said.
LIRR service was suspended overnight after the crash but reopened during the morning rush hour, Newsday previously reported.
LIRR spokesperson David Steckel said in an email Wednesday, "The investigation is ongoing.”
Riordan, who was the first woman to lead Adelphi University, abruptly left in June after serving as president since 2015. An Adelphi spokesperson had no comment on the new charges.
Lorena Mongelli has been reporting for Newsday since 2021. Prior to that, she covered breaking news at the New York Post.
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