Woman driving on railroad tracks charged with DWI, cops say

An East Quogue woman was charged with driving while intoxicated after driving her vehicle onto the railroad tracks in Hampton Bays Friday night, Southampton Town police said Sunday.

According to a police report, Gerry Andreassen, 60, was traveling on Ponquogue Avenue shortly before midnight and turned west onto the railroad tracks near Springfield Road and continued down the tracks until her vehicle became stuck.

An investigation revealed Andreassen was intoxicated and she was arrested at the scene, police said. She was not injured, police said.

No further details were immediately available from police.

Her attorney, Colin Patrick Astarita of Southampton, said in an emailed statement: “Hampton Bays is currently holding its annual San Gennaro Festival and as a result the road that runs parallel to the RR tracks is shut down.”

He said his client “was trying to turn onto the road that was closed and due to the dark rainy conditions she mistakenly followed a temporary sign before the RR crossing which led to her car getting stuck on the tracks.”

Astarita added, “Upon realizing the mistake she made a brief effort to remove the vehicle before exiting the car and making contact with police.”

He said he could not comment on the DWI charge but said Andreassen was released on her own recognizance following her arraignment Saturday in Southampton Town Justice Court.

“I haven’t seen any paperwork other than the uniform traffic ticket she received so I can’t comment on the basis of the arrest yet,” Astarita said. He said his client received a ticket for stopping on the railroad tracks.