Uber Ordered To Pay USD 40 Million in Emily Normandin-Parker Death Case After Driver Kicked Her Out on California Freeway

Uber and one of its drivers, Vu Tran, have been ordered by an arbitrator to pay USD 40 million in damages to the parents of Emily Normandin-Parker, a 23-year-old woman who was struck and killed by traffic after the driver made her and her friend get out of the vehicle on a California freeway. Retired California judge Richard A Stone, who acted as arbitrator, awarded USD 20 million each to her parents, Carol Normandin and Ken Parker, and held Uber and Tran jointly and severally liable. Her friend, Luna Moore, who was in the cab that night, was awarded an additional USD 300,000.

Stone rejected Tran's argument that Normandin-Parker walking into traffic lanes absolved him of responsibility. He also ruled that Uber acts as a common carrier with a non-delegable duty of care towards its passengers, which is why the company was held legally liable along with the driver. Describing Tran's conduct, the arbitrator said the driver "showed far more worry for his new car than he did for his passengers."

Dispute Over a Cleaning Fee

The incident took place on August 12, 2023, as Normandin-Parker was heading home with Moore after a night out. Moore became sick inside the car, and Tran pulled over at a freeway "gore point", a triangular stretch where lanes diverge near an exit, on State Route 73 in Orange County. Uber Layoffs: What CEO Dara Khosrowshahi Said About Latest Job Cuts?

According to the arbitration findings, Tran argued with Moore over a cleaning fee and ordered both women out in an unsafe spot. He did not take the nearby exit onto MacArthur Boulevard, which would have let him drop them off safely. Normandin-Parker, who was intoxicated, wandered into traffic and was fatally struck by a passing vehicle while the rideshare car drove away.

GPS Data Showed Driver Passed Her Body

GPS evidence presented at the hearing showed that Tran drove close to Normandin-Parker's body after leaving the scene. He then exited the freeway and contacted Uber to claim the cleaning fee. Prabhjeet Singh Quits Uber India After Over a Decade of Service.

Uber Disputes Finding

Uber said it disagrees with the legal findings. In a public statement, the company said, "While we respect the arbitration process, we believe the arbitrator was wrong in holding Uber legally responsible for the tragic events of that night." It added that its thoughts remain with the family. Uber also confirmed that Tran no longer has access to its platform and that it has updated its driver guidance on unsafe drop-off points.

Family Turned Down Confidential Settlement

The family's lawyers said Uber offered a settlement after the arbitration decision, but it came with strict confidentiality backed by a USD 10 million penalty for each breach. The family rejected it. "We turned it down because we would never accept that kind of condition. The case was never about money in the first place," said Ken Parker.

The family has set up the Emily Normandin-Parker Foundation to push for stronger safety protections for rideshare passengers.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 19, 2026 09:43 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).