The widower of a woman who lost her life at a Metro-North crossing in Valhalla has teamed up with state lawmakers to make a change in rail crossings.

Last February, Ellen Brody drove her SUV onto a railroad crossing in Valhalla. An oncoming Metro-North train crashed into her, killing Brody and five passengers on the train.

Brody's husband, Allan Brody, has been pushing for a statewide study of all rail grade crossings.

"We have an existential threat here, and it only gets worse as the density of the traffic goes up," he says.

This week, state senators led by Westchester Sen. David Carlucci passed a safety bill requiring the Department of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive statewide study of level grade rail crossings.

Lawmakers say the study is crucial to determine what safety improvements must be made to prevent future collisions.

The Assembly passed the bill in March. It will now head to the governor's office for signature.