Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf is a New York Plaintiff's personal injury law firm specializing in automobile accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice, products liability, police misconduct and all types of New York personal injury litigation.
Published on:

Metro-North Valhalla Train Crash: 10 Years Later, Justice for Victims Moves Forward

Metro-North-Train-on-fire-after-crashFebruary 3, 2025, marks the tenth anniversary of the deadliest accident in Metro-North’s history—a catastrophic train crash that claimed the lives of five passengers and the driver of an SUV in Valhalla, New York. The crash, which left dozens injured, remains a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by inadequate railroad safety measures.

The Tragic Events of February 3, 2015

On that evening, Ellen Brody was behind the wheel of an SUV when she inadvertently entered the Commerce Street railroad crossing in Valhalla. As a northbound Metro-North train approached, the vehicle was struck, triggering a chain reaction that led to an unprecedented disaster.

The impact caused Brody’s vehicle to hit the electrified third rail, which dislodged and speared through the first train car, igniting multiple fires and inflicting catastrophic injuries. Five train passengers lost their lives, and many more were left with life-altering injuries.

A Decade-Long Legal Fight for Justice

In the aftermath, families of the victims turned to the courts to hold Metro-North accountable. The legal battle that followed culminated in a landmark verdict—one that placed the majority of the blame on Metro-North, rather than solely on the driver of the SUV.

Our train accident attorneys, managing partner Ben Rubinowitz and senior partner Richard Steigman led the trial team, exposing critical safety failures by Metro-North.

Jury Findings: Metro-North’s Negligence

Despite Metro-North’s attempts to shift full blame onto Ellen Brody, a Westchester County jury found the railroad 71% responsible for the deaths and injuries of passengers due to:

  • The Train Engineer’s Failure to Slow Down – The train engineer, Steven Smalls, admitted he had “doubt and uncertainty” about an obstruction on the tracks. Instead of slowing down, he accelerated, contributing to the severity of the crash.
  • Defective Third Rail Design – The third rail, which should have broken away upon impact, instead penetrated the train for 343 feet, worsening the devastation.

For Brody’s death, the jury assigned 63% of the blame to Metro-North and the train engineer, with Brody bearing 37% responsibility.

What This Verdict Means for Railroad Safety

“This is a tragedy that never should have happened,” said Ben Rubinowitz, speaking on behalf of the victims’ families. “The jury’s decision highlights the urgent need for Metro-North to implement critical safety changes.”

Alan Brody, Ellen Brody’s husband, expressed hope that the verdict would push Metro-North to overhaul its safety protocols to prevent future tragedies.

The amount of damages for the victims and their families will be determined in a separate trial. Meanwhile, Metro-North has expressed its disagreement with the jury’s findings, and legal proceedings may continue.

A Decade Later: A Push for Accountability

As we mark ten years since the Valhalla train crash, the legal victory stands as a testament to the importance of holding negligent entities accountable. The case underscores the necessity of stricter safety measures, better training for train engineers, and improved railroad crossing designs to prevent history from repeating itself.

For the families who lost loved ones and the survivors still dealing with the consequences, the fight for justice is far from over. But the verdict is a powerful step forward—a reminder that those responsible for public safety must be held to the highest standards.