The parents of a 23-year-old woman who died after being struck by a vehicle, following an Uber driver stopping on the side of a highway in California, have been awarded $40 million (approximately 1.33 billion baht) in compensation after an arbitrator ruled both Uber and the driver responsible for her death.
Uber was found jointly liable for the death of the 23-year-old woman, who was fatally hit by a car after the Uber driver stopped on the side of a highway in Southern California, resulting in her parents receiving a total compensation of $40 million (about 1.33 billion baht).
Carol Normandin and Ken Parker, the parents of Emily Normandin-Parker, expressed hope that the compensation will bring attention to the circumstances surrounding their daughter's 2023 death and support efforts to improve safety standards and transparency within the ride-hailing industry.
Parker commented on the compensation, saying he never wanted such an incident to happen, and no parent wishes to lose a child, but the most beneficial outcome is that this case draws attention to urgent issues needing resolution.
On the night of the incident, Emily called an Uber to take her and a friend home after they had been drinking together. When her friend became ill and vomited, Uber driver Vu Tran stopped on California's State Route 73 in Orange County. All three exited the vehicle, and Emily was then struck and killed by a passing car.
During arbitration, Uber argued it is merely a technology platform connecting passengers with independent drivers, according to arbitrator Richard Stone, a former judge. However, Stone rejected this argument and found Uber jointly liable as the party responsible for the driver's negligence.
Uber disagreed with the ruling, issuing a statement that while respecting the arbitration process, it believes the arbitrator erred in legally holding Uber responsible for the night's events, and affirmed the company has continuously worked to improve safety measures over the years.
The arbitrator's ruling, dated July, was publicly disclosed by the Normandin and Parker families' lawyers this week. Stone ordered Uber and Mr. Tran to jointly pay $20 million each to the parents as compensation.
Stone noted gaps remain regarding key moments before the incident, as no witness gave fully reliable testimony. Evidence showed Tran parked in the Y-shaped highway junction area before arguing with Emily's friend outside the vehicle. Neither Tran nor the friend witnessed the moment Emily was struck by the car.
The arbitrator stated Tran allowed anger to control him, placing both women and himself in unnecessary danger by illegally parking in that area, despite safer parking options being available along the highway where vehicles travel at night.
Stone also stated that Tran abandoned the two women in that location, knowing they were intoxicated, and that he had angrily forced them to exit the vehicle.
After leaving the scene, GPS data showed Tran parked at the next highway exit and called Uber to inquire about a cleaning fee charge for the vehicle.
California law permits Uber and other ride-hailing platforms to classify drivers as independent contractors, but Stone rejected the notion that this status absolves Uber of legal responsibility.
This case proceeded through arbitration because Uber's terms of service, which passengers agree to upon signup, require disputes to be resolved through private arbitration. The arbitrator's decision differs from a court judgment and does not set a legal precedent for other cases.
Uber stated it will continue investing in safety through new technology, policies, and preventative measures, including advising drivers to avoid unsafe passenger drop-off locations, emphasizing that safety remains an ongoing focus for the company.
Emily's parents established the Emily Normandin-Parker Foundation and announced plans to use part of the compensation to fund scholarships, counseling and development programs, and support organizations working on LGBTQ+ rights.
However, the family criticized Uber's response, viewing it as reflective of what they called the company's "abnormal inability to accept responsibility."
. SourceASSOCIATED PRESS