A woman who claims she was raped while walking across a dark and unguarded parking lot at the Emerson Park Metrolink Station is suing, saying the Bi-State Development Agency should have provided better security in such a dangerous location.
Stephanie N. Yarbrough filed a lawsuit Dec. 3 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Bi-State, doing business as Metro.
In her complaint, Yarbrough claims she was walking across a parking lot at the Emerson Park Metrolink Station on Jan. 28 when a man “accosted, robbed, threatened and raped plaintiff on defendant’s parking lot.” Just before the attack, Yarbrough had left work and exited the train. She had begun her usual trek toward her home on North 18th Street when the incident occurred, according to the complaint.
Because of the attack, Yarbrough suffered serious and permanent emotional and physical injuries, incurred medical costs and endured pain, the suit states.
She blames Metro for contributing to the attack, saying it should have made certain its property was safe. It also negligently allowed travelers to walk across the parking lot, which was unlit, unmonitored and unattended, without an adequately trained security force; and failed to monitor passengers as they left the train platform, the complaint says.
In her complaint, Yarbrough seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus other relief the court deems just.
Joseph M. Taylor of Taylor and Taylor in St. Louis will be representing her.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-599.
Bi-State sued over alleged rape at Emerson Park Metrolink Station
ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY