This February marks the 8th anniversary of the infamous tragedy when Ellen Brody, 49, mother of three girls, was struck in her SUV by an MTA train at the Commerce Street crossing in Valhalla. Five additional lives were lost and many others injured that horrible day on Feb 3, 2015.

There was plenty of media attention after the accident. Elected officials, transit officials and others promised to address the problem and to make the crossing safer. According to Alan Brody, former Edgemont resident and husband of Ellen, little has been accomplished since. The crossing remains unsafe.

He writes, “The accident took place in a heavily congested situation, something that we are seeing again, post-Covid. As for improved signage, lighting or avoidance technology, all the railroads have done is persuade Google to add a railroad crossing warning to Waze. Additionally, the MTA evaded legislation sponsored by State Senator Carlucci and Assemblyman Abinanti ordering them to review each crossing for safety by sending out a generic discussion of safety procedures without producing any improvements. That’s about it – along with repainting the road surfaces.”

Alan Brody, who asks, in light of a recent collision – luckily with no injuries -- at the Virginia Road crossing, “is this the most dangerous line in the wealthiest suburbs?”, proposed the following safety measures which he hopes will get more attention and action with your support:

1. Fail safe technology that forces trains to slow down or stop if there is anything on the tracks.  

2. Improved lighting including strobe lighting

3. Improved signage - especially the addition of standard highway signage instead of the historical railroad signage which fewer people understand today

4. Ballards in the medians at all crossings to make it clear this is a crossing and so cars can't go around the gates. 

Brody notes that the only person compensated by the MTA for this case is the engineer, who is alleged to have sped up after first seeing an object on the tracks that turned out be Brody’s SUV. The victims are suing the MTA and the case is likely going to trial sometime this year. Memorials and appeals to improve safety will take place on February 3rd.

Thank you for signing to urge the Governor, state legislators and Metro North to take action.