Arbitrator orders Uber to pay $40M over passenger death on freeway

An arbitrator has ordered Uber and driver Vu Tran to pay $40 million to the parents of Emily Normandin-Parker, 23, who was struck and killed on State Route 73 in Orange County after Tran pulled over at a gore point during a dispute with her friend. Retired Judge Richard Stone ruled in July that Uber is vicariously liable for Tran's negligence, rejecting the company's argument that Proposition 22 shields it from responsibility for independent contractors. Stone wrote that Prop. 22's voter materials never mentioned eliminating such liability. The award splits $20 million to each parent, Carol Normandin and Ken Parker.

On August 12, 2023, Tran picked up Normandin-Parker and her friend Luna Moore from a bar. When Moore became sick, Tran stopped at the triangular gore area by the off-ramp rather than taking the nearby MacArthur Boulevard exit. As Tran and Moore argued, Normandin-Parker entered the freeway and was hit by a vehicle. GPS data showed Tran drove near her body before exiting and requesting a cleaning fee from Uber.

“I never wanted it. No parent would ever want it. The best thing about it is that it's bringing attention to the issue that sorely needs attention.”

Stone described Tran's testimony as "almost entirely incredible" and found he showed "far more worry for his new car than he did for his passengers." The arbitrator noted that no witness provided entirely credible testimony about the crucial moments, but evidence confirmed Tran chose an unsafe and illegal stopping location when a safe alternative existed.

Normandin and Parker said Friday they hope the award spotlights safety gaps in ride-hailing and plan to advocate for stronger standards. "I never wanted it. No parent would ever want it," Parker said. Uber stated it respects the arbitration process but believes the arbitrator was wrong to hold the company legally responsible, adding it has continued to strengthen safety measures.