Uber has been ordered to pay $40 million to the parents of a 23-year-old woman who was fatally struck by traffic after her driver left her and a friend on a California freeway in 2023.
Emily Normandin-Parker, a UCLA graduate, had booked an Uber with her friend Luna Moore after a night out on August 12, 2023. During the journey, Moore became sick inside the vehicle.
Driver left women at dangerous location
According to the arbitration ruling, driver Vu Tran stopped at a triangular area known as a gore point on State Route 73 in Orange County. The arbitrator, retired Judge Richard A Stone, described the location as unsafe and illegal and said the driver could have taken an exit and stopped somewhere safer.
The women were left outside the vehicle while they were intoxicated. Normandin-Parker subsequently entered the freeway and was struck and killed by another vehicle.
The arbitration award said Tran later drove near the location before taking the next exit and contacting Uber about a cleaning fee. Evidence presented during the proceedings also included previous complaints concerning his driving, according to the family’s lawyers.
Parents awarded $40 million
Following a five-day arbitration, Stone awarded $20 million each to Normandin-Parker’s parents, Carol Normandin and Ken Parker. Her friend was separately awarded $300,000. Uber and Tran were found jointly liable.
The arbitrator rejected Uber’s argument that California’s Proposition 22, which permits app-based drivers to be classified as independent contractors, prevented the company from being held responsible. He found Uber liable under the circumstances of the case.
Uber said it disagreed with the decision while expressing sympathy for the family. The company said it had strengthened its safety measures and introduced additional guidance on avoiding unsafe passenger drop-offs.
Emily’s parents have established a foundation in her memory and plan to use the award to support ride-hailing safety and related advocacy.