Jury finds Metro-North largely responsible for deadly 2015 Westchester crash

VALHALLA, N.Y. (PIX11) – A jury found the Metro-North Railroad primarily responsible for a 2015 crash in Valhalla that killed six people, including the 49-year-old driver of a car the train crashed into, according to a lawyer for the victims.

The jury identified Metro-North, the train’s third rail and operator, as primarily responsible for the crash, according to lawyer Andrew Maloney, who is representing some of the train’s passengers. But it also found the driver, Ellen Brody, partially responsible, Maloney told PIX11 News on Thursday.

“[The families] are very pleased with the verdict,” Maloney said. “It should not have taken nine years.”

The MTA did not agree with this week’s ruling, according to a spokesperson.

“The MTA disagrees with this verdict and is considering all legal options,” said MTA spokesperson Aaron Donovan in a statement.

The decision comes nearly 10 years after the horrific crash that happened at the Commerce Street railroad crossing on Feb. 3, 2015, when a Metro-North train crashed into and dragged Brody’s car.

During the crash, the train’s third rail pierced Brody’s car and the first train car, setting the two vehicles ablaze, according to the National Transit Safety Board.

The National Transit Safety Board had previously determined the 49-year-old SUV driver was the primary cause of the crash, given her car was on the tracks.

“It was a horror scene,” Maloney said of the crash.

Now, Maloney is hoping the victims’ cases are settled without further litigation.

“They’ve waited a long time, and they shouldn’t have to wait any further,” Maloney said.

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered New York City since 2023. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here .

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