Suit: Ex-Bus Driver Raped Disabled Woman
CHICAGO (STMW) -- A woman with a disabling brain injury filed a lawsuit Monday claiming a former Pace bus driver befriending and raped her last fall at her Northwest Side home.
The attack occurred Nov. 27, 2010, when former Pace bus driver Samuel Rivera, 43, allegedly went to the woman's home on the Northwest Side and sexually assaulted her, knowing she did not have the mental capacity to consent, according to a police report.
Rivera had befriended the woman, a brain injury patient whom he drove by Pace bus to the Midwest Brain Injury Clubhouse in the 300 block of North Elizabeth Street, according to the report.
Pace spokesman Patrick Wilmot said Rivera was an employee of MV Transportation, which was contracted by Pace. He was pulled from service on Nov. 27 following a complaint and has not worked for Pace since, he said.
Police were called to the Elizabeth Street address on Dec. 1, 2010, and notified of the rape. Rivera 43, of the 4300 block of N. Albany Ave., was arrested and charged with one count of criminal sexual assault, police said.
The three-count suit claims sexual assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence. The suit seeks unspecified damages and court costs.
Spokespeople for MV Transportation and Pace were not immediately available for comment.
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