Boyette v. Trans World Airlines, Inc.

Rutherford, intoxicated after his flight, deplaned safely onto the tarmac in St. Louis, then wandered into a restricted area, stole a golf cart, and led airline gate agent Callier on a foot chase through the terminal. Fleeing into an unlocked cleaning room, he fell down a trash chute into a compactor and was killed. His mother, Boyette (plaintiff), sued the airline and Callier (defendants) for wrongful death, arguing Callier's pursuit was negligent. The trial court granted the defendants summary judgment, and Boyette appealed.

Whether a common carrier discharges its heightened duty to protect a passenger from injury once the passenger reaches a reasonably safe place.