Uber has been ordered to pay $40 million to the family of a 23-year-old woman who was struck and killed by a vehicle after her rideshare driver forced her out onto a busy Southern California freeway. Retired Judge Richard Stone, acting as an arbitrator, issued the decision following the 2023 death of Emily Normandin-Parker, according to the family’s legal representation at Panish Shea Ravipudi.
Arbitrator Rejects Uber Technology Platform Defense
During the arbitration proceedings, retired Judge Richard Stone rejected Uber’s core argument that it merely operates a technology platform and remains shielded from vicarious liability regarding driver negligence, according to Panish Shea Ravipudi. The arbitrator determined that the driver, Vu Tran, needlessly placed his passengers in danger and showed far more worry for his new car than for the safety of his riders.
Incident Details on State Route 73
The fatal sequence began when Normandin-Parker and her friend, Luna Moore, booked an Uber ride in Costa Mesa to travel home to Laguna Beach after a night out, according to Fox Business. Once inside the vehicle, Moore vomited, prompting driver Vu Tran to pull over illegally at a gore point separating an exit ramp from State Route 73 instead of driving to a safe location. Tran ordered both intoxicated women out of the vehicle and demanded a cleaning fee. Normandin-Parker was left stranded alongside multiple lanes of freeway traffic, where a passing vehicle struck and killed her. Rather than calling 911 or rendering aid, Tran left the scene and requested that Uber charge the passenger’s account a cleaning fee, according to legal documents.
Family Statements and Corporate Response
Parents Carol Normandin and Ken Parker issued a public statement addressing the tragedy and their daughter’s final choices. Emily did everything Uber tells riders to do by making the responsible choice not to drive, trusting the platform to get her home safely, according to her parents. The company added that it continues to strengthen safety approaches through new technology, policies, and safeguards informed by safety experts, including additional guidance for drivers regarding unsafe drop-off locations.
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