Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Parents awarded $40 million after Uber held liable in death
Emily Normandin-Parker was riding in an Uber with a friend in 2023.
Her friend became sick after drinking alcohol, so the driver stopped beside a highway in California.
Everyone got out of the car.
Emily was then hit by traffic and died.
An arbitrator said the driver should not have stopped in that dangerous place or left the women there.
The arbitrator also said Uber shared responsibility for what happened.
Emily’s parents were awarded $40 million.
They say they want to use some of the money to improve ride-hailing safety and help others.
An arbitrator awarded Emily Normandin-Parker’s parents $40 million over her 2023 death.
The 23-year-old was struck by traffic after an Uber driver stopped on Route 73 in Orange County.
Arbitrator Richard Stone found Uber and driver Vu Tran jointly liable for the death.
Stone rejected Uber’s argument that it was only a technology platform connecting riders with independent drivers.
Uber disagreed with the decision and said it continues investing in safety measures and safeguards.
- Who
- Emily Normandin-Parker, her parents Carol Normandin and Ken Parker, Uber, and driver Vu Tran.
- What
- An arbitrator awarded Emily’s parents $40 million and found Uber and Tran liable for her death.
- When
- The fatal incident occurred in 2023; the arbitration decision was dated July and released publicly this week.
- Where
- Route 73 in Orange County, Southern California.
- Why
- The arbitrator found that Tran stopped in a dangerous highway gore point, left the intoxicated passengers there, and was negligent; Uber was held vicariously liable.
Parents and Arbitrator
Uber
Responsibility for the death
Parents and Arbitrator
The arbitrator found Tran negligent for stopping in a gore point, leaving the women near an active freeway, and placing them in danger. He also found Uber vicariously liable.
Uber
Uber said the arbitrator was wrong to hold the company legally responsible for the night’s events.
Uber’s role
Parents and Arbitrator
The arbitrator rejected Uber’s argument that it was only a technology platform connecting riders with independent third-party drivers.
Uber
Uber maintains that its drivers are independent contractors under California law and said it continues strengthening its safety approach.
Future safety measures
Parents and Arbitrator
Emily’s parents said they want to use the award to advocate for stronger safety standards and greater transparency in ride-hailing.
Uber
Uber said it invests in new technology, policies, safeguards, and driver guidance on avoiding unsafe drop-off locations.
- Award
- $40 million total, with $20 million assigned to each parent
- Victim
- Emily Normandin-Parker, age 23
- Incident
- She was fatally struck by traffic after getting out of an Uber
- Driver
- Vu Tran
- Arbitrator
- Richard Stone, a retired judge
- Liable parties
- Uber and Vu Tran were found jointly responsible
- Legal process
- The case was resolved through private arbitration under Uber’s terms of service
- Decision status
- The arbitration ruling does not establish legal precedent