An arbitrator has ordered Uber and one of its drivers to jointly pay 40 million USD in damages following the death of 23-year-old Emily Normandin-Parker, who was abandoned on a highway after her driver stopped the vehicle. On 18/9, Emily's parents expressed hope that this award would highlight their daughter's death and promote enhanced safety standards and transparency in the rideshare industry.

The arbitration document, issued in July and recently released by lawyers representing Emily's family, states that arbitrator Richard Stone, a retired judge, ruled Uber and driver Vu Tran are jointly liable for 20 million USD each to Emily's parents, totaling 40 million USD.

The fatal incident occurred on 12/8/2023, after Emily had been out drinking with friends in Costa Mesa, Orange County. She booked an Uber through the app to go home with her friend, Luna Moore.

After they entered Vu Tran's car, Luna vomited inside. According to the law firm, this prompted Tran to illegally stop the vehicle at a "diversion point"—an area separating an exit ramp and the main highway—on Highway 73. He did not continue off the highway to take the two passengers to a safe location.

Tran ordered both women out of the car and began arguing with Luna outside the vehicle about a cleaning fee. Emily was then struck by a passing vehicle. Neither Tran nor Luna witnessed the moment Emily was struck. Arbitrator Richard Stone noted that the exact sequence of events leading up to the accident could not be precisely determined due to inconsistencies in the testimonies of both the driver and the friend.

Following the incident, Tran left the scene without calling 911 and instead requested Uber charge a cleaning fee to Emily's account.

Emily Normandin-Parker's parents established a fund in her name, utilizing the compensation to finance scholarships, mentoring programs, and support LGBTQ+ organizations. *Photo: People*

"Emily followed all of Uber's passenger instructions. She made the responsible choice not to drive herself, and we trusted Uber to get her home safely. That trust cost us our daughter," Emily's parents stated.

According to Emily's family, Uber had previously offered a settlement that included a confidentiality clause and a 10 million USD penalty if they disclosed the incident. The family rejected the offer.

The case proceeded to arbitration because Uber's terms of service, which users agree to upon account registration, mandate that claims or disputes be resolved through private arbitration rather than court proceedings.

The arbitrator concluded that Tran had "unnecessarily placed passengers in a dangerous situation" and "was far more concerned about his new car than the safety of his passengers."

Uber argued that it was merely a technology platform connecting passengers with "third-party independent drivers." However, the arbitrator rejected this argument, determining that Uber bears "indirect legal responsibility" for the driver's negligent actions.

Uber disagreed with the decision. In a statement, the company asserted its continuous investment in safety through technology, policies, and new safeguards, while also instructing drivers to avoid unsafe drop-off locations. According to Uber, prior to the fatal incident, Tran had completed 6,000 trips, maintained a 4,96-star rating, and had no prior incidents involving unsafe passenger drop-offs, highway stops, or passenger injury.

Tue Anh (according to AP, Fox)