Cops: Drunken driver rode on four flats; car caught fire

A Freeport man who told police Sunday morning that driving on four flat tires caused his car to catch fire faces drunken driving charges, State Police said.

Troopers responded to a report of a car on fire on southbound Meadowbrook Parkway, just south of the Northern State Parkway, at about 5:14 a.m., according to a report.

At the scene, Robert Abreu, 17, of 190 North Columbus Ave., was standing outside a burning vehicle. He told police he had been driving on four flat tires, when presumably sparks from the rims riding on pavement caused the car to catch fire, police said.

Police said Abreu also failed a sobriety test and was arrested.

He is charged with driving while intoxicated and also faces several traffic violations, police said.

He is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead.