Driver Of Car Probable Cause Of Deadly 2015 Metro-North Train Crash: NTSB

VALHALLA, NY — The driver of the Mercedes Benz driving onto the tracks as a Metro-North train approached Feb. 3, 2015, was the cause of the deadliest crash the railroad has ever had. The National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday it determined that the probable cause of the accident was that the driver “for undetermined reasons” moved onto the tracks while the crossing warnings were activated and as the gates closed.

The board also said a contributing factor was the driver — Ellen Brody — stopping, getting out of her vehicle, despite the warning signs, and going to the back of her car where the gate had come down. That reduced the available time she had to get herself and her vehicle out of harm’s way. [Get Patch’s Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts here.]

The electrified third rail coming loose and penetrating the railcar and the subsequent fire was also a contributing factor in the severity of the crash.

Besides the six deaths, nine people were injured when, around 6:30 p.m. Feb. 3, the packed northbound commuter train smashed into the 2011 Mercedes Benz ML350 SUV that had driven into its path. The train pushed the SUV about 500 feet down the track as a broken segment of the third rail slice through the first train car, which burst into flames.

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An estimated 386 feet of third rail was damaged. The train was occupied by two crew members and about 650 passengers at the time of the accident.

The NTSB ruled out a number of possible factors in the crash. The mechanical condition of the train, the engineer’s performance, weather, condition of the track, fatigue, cell phone use, alcohol and drugs were all ruled out as factors.

The emergency window exits functioned as designed, and the controller that shut off the electricity to the third rail worked in a timely manner, the board said.

Among the recommendations the NTSB had were for appropriate federal agencies to notify rail-transit properties to do risk assessments of grade crossings that have an electrified third rail component and to require those properties to find ways to mitigate accident severity at those crossings.

A recommendation was made to the Town of Mount Pleasant to take action on a traffic study to improve grade crossing safety, possibly including the closure of the Commerce Street crossing where the accident occurred.

NTSB Acting Director Robert L. Sumwalt said investigations such as this one are important because lives can be saved and the number and severity of injuries can be reduced if recommendations are acted upon.

However, he said, “The ultimate risk is in the hands of the driver because the next train is always coming.”

Assemblyman David Buchwald, D-White Plains, said Metro-North and the state Department of Transportation should commit to implementing the NTSB’s safety recommendations as quickly as possible.

“The NTSB determinations are a sobering reminder of the need to constantly monitor our at-grade rail crossing safety warning systems and vigorously enforce rail crossing safety laws,” he said.

This is a developing story. Check back with Patch for updates.

Photo credit: NTSB