Metro Link passenger claims train was operated in 'careless and erratic' manner

A passenger alleges a St. Clair County train operated in a "careless and erratic" way caused him to be seriously hurt.

Stephen F. Piotrowski filed a lawsuit against The Bi-State Development Agency of The Missouri-Illinois Metropolitan District, doing business as Bi-State Development Company on Sept. 8 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

According to the complaint, on the evening of Oct. 23, 2013, Piotrowski was a fare-paying passenger on a Metro-Link train owned and maintained by Bi-State Development that was moving between Fairview Heights and Shiloh.

Piotrowski alleges the Bi-State employee in charge of the route "operated the train in a careless and erratic manner during a time when ... passengers were not safely seated." He accuses the company of negligence for allegedly failing to operate the train at a proper speed and failing to keep the train under control.

Piotrowski says he sustained "serious personal injuries" on the train ride but does not provide other details about how he was hurt. He is asking for more than $50,000 in damages for medical expenses, lost wages and "a great deal of anguish in mind and body."

Attorneys Mark C. Scoggins, Clay B. St. Clair and Anthony P. Gilbreth, both of Crowder & Scoggins in Columbia, represent Piotrowski.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 14-L-624.