Vehicle Bursts Into Flames On Southern State Parkway In Islip: FD

ISLIP, NY — A 21-year-old unlicensed driver was ticketed after his Ford Mustang caught fire on the Southern State Parkway in Islip late Sunday night, New York State Police said.

Troopers were called to the parkway at about 11 p.m. Sept. 13 for a report of a vehicle fire and found an unoccupied red Ford Mustang, police said.

A preliminary investigation determined that Bruce Vargas, 21, of Central Islip, was driving the Mustang and pulled over after noticing the vehicle was on fire, according to police.

Vargas was the vehicle’s sole occupant, police said.

During the investigation, troopers determined that Vargas was unlicensed and that the Mustang was unregistered and had improper license plates, police said.

Vargas was issued Uniform Traffic Tickets. No injuries were reported.

The Islip Fire Department said its crews responded to the eastbound Southern State Parkway just before the ramp to southbound Islip Avenue and found the vehicle on fire with the occupant safely outside.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze without incident before turning the scene over to State Police, fire officials said.