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Uber Driver's Freeway Abandonment Costs $40M
19 Sep
Summary
- Emily Normandin-Parker tragically died after being left on a freeway by an Uber driver.
- An arbitration hearing awarded her family $40 million for negligence.
- The judge criticized the driver's concern for his car over passenger safety.
A $40 million award has been ordered against Uber following the death of UCLA graduate Emily Normandin-Parker, who was left stranded on a California freeway by her driver. The ride-share company was found responsible for the tragic events that unfolded on August 12, 2023.
Normandin-Parker, 23, and her friend Luna Moore, were ordered out of the car by driver Vu Tran after Moore vomited. Tran had stopped on a freeway gore point, a dangerous location separating traffic lanes, and subsequently left the pair. Normandin-Parker was fatally struck by another vehicle.
During a five-day arbitration hearing, Normandin-Parker's parents accused Tran and Uber of negligence. Judge Richard A. Stone ruled that Tran "needlessly placed" the passengers in danger, scolding him for showing more concern for his car than for their safety. The judge rejected Tran's defense that Normandin-Parker had walked into traffic.
Uber attempted to keep the arbitration award confidential, threatening the family with a $10 million penalty for non-disclosure. The family stated they are speaking out to prevent similar tragedies. Moore was awarded $300,000 in the arbitration.
