WASHINGTON 鈥� The family of a man found dead in a Metro station in 2013 is suing the transit agency for $25 million after they say the man鈥檚 body聽went unnoticed for several days.
On Oct. 19, 2013, Okiemute Whiteru 鈥� a 35-year-old Southeast D.C. resident 鈥� was聽riding聽the escalator at the Judiciary Square Metro station when he lost his balance and fell over the side. While he was attempting to collect himself, he fell backward again, tumbling another 8 feet, according to court documents.
Whiteru died as a result of his injuries and his body wasn鈥檛 found for more than four days, court documents say.
鈥淒ue to his fall and resulting injuries, [Whiteru] was incapacitated, and required prompt and timely emergency, medical, and/or other assistance,鈥� says the lawsuit filed Monday in D.C. Superior Court.
Also, the lawsuit alleges that Metro employees knew of Whiteru鈥檚 fall 鈥� which was captured on surveillance cameras 鈥� and employees didn鈥檛 help him, leading to his 鈥渢ragic, painful and untimely death.鈥�
Writeru鈥檚 parents are suing Metro for negligence and wrongful death and want $25 million in damages.
A Metro spokeswoman declined to comment on the pending litigation.
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