Mount Pleasant, N.Y. — On Tuesday, a jury concluded that Metro-Noid was primarily at fault in the catastrophic 2015 collision that resulted in the deaths of six individuals, signaling a significant development in the civil lawsuit that holds the railroad accountable.
Nearly eight years following the devastating incident at the Commerce Street crossing, the verdict came after deliberations that shed light on the complex circumstances leading to the deadliest crash in the history of Metro-North. Metro-North, along with the train’s engineer, bear significant responsibility for the tragedy, according to the jury’s findings.
The events of February 3, 2015, began unfolding when Ellen Brody, a resident of Edgemont, found her vehicle entrapped by the crossing’s descended safety gates. Although an oncoming train signaled its approach, Brody exited her vehicle, only to return, proceed forwards, and tragically attempt to cross the tracks. Moments later, her car was struck by a Metro-North train heading out of Grand Central on the Harlem Line, causing a catastrophic sequence of events.
The collision was severe enough not only to claim Brody’s life but also to dislodge an electrified third rail that penetrated the train’s first car and erupted in flames, leading to the deaths of five additional passengers.
Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) attributed the immediate cause of the accident to Brody’s actions at the crossing. However, it also pointed to a critical design flaw in the third rail that exacerbated the fatality count. Nonetheless, precisely why Brody moved her vehicle onto the tracks remains unclear.
During the trial, legal representatives argued that the majority of blame, about 71%, lay with Metro-North and engineer Stephen Smalls due to the fatal third rail design and the engineer’s particular actions during the incident. Additionally, they successfully posited that Metro-North’s responsibility extended to Brody’s death, albeit to a lesser degree of 63%, primarily due to evident safety lapses.
The lamentations of Alan Brody, Ellen’s husband, underlined the emotional and contentious nature of the proceedings. He criticized the railroad for its negligence in safety measures and signage that he believed could have potentially averted the calamity.
In response to the verdict, MTA spokesperson Aaron Donovan expressed the organization’s disagreement and indicated plans to explore all available legal options, signaling that the fallout from this tragic event is far from over. Donovan’s brief statement underscored the gravity of the situation and the potential for an ongoing legal battle.
Further judicial proceedings are expected in the fall to determine the compensation owed to Brody’s estate and those of the five deceased passengers, marking the next chapter in a legal narrative that seeks justice for one of the most harrowing railroad accidents in recent U.S. history.
As families of the victims await these proceedings, the broader implications on railroad safety standards and operational protocols loom large, suggesting that Metro-North might face intense scrutiny and potential reforms aimed at preventing such tragic incidents in the future.