Uber arbitration award over Emily Normandin-Parker's death

A 23-year-old rider, Emily Normandin-Parker, was struck and killed after an Uber driver, Vu Tran, stopped at a triangular gore point on State Route 73 and left her and a friend following an argument over a cleaning fee when the friend vomited. Arbitrator Richard A. Stone found the gore point was unsafe and illegal, that Tran knew both women were intoxicated, and that he showed “far more worry for his new car” than for his passengers. GPS data indicated Tran drove near Normandin-Parker’s body as he left and then pulled off to call Uber about the fee. Stone characterized Tran’s testimony as largely unbelievable and noted a lack of credible testimony overall about the immediate moments before the death.

Stone held Uber vicariously liable as a common carrier with a non-delegable safety duty, rejecting Uber’s claim that Proposition 22 or its “technology company” posture shielded it from responsibility. The July 2026 award ordered Uber and Tran jointly and severally to pay $40 million to the parents ($20 million each) and $300,000 to the surviving passenger for intentional infliction of emotional distress; no punitive damages were awarded. Stone criticized Uber’s safety policies and handling of driver complaints. Uber disputed the ruling and emphasized driver history and safety improvements. The family refused a confidentiality-heavy settlement and plans to use any proceeds to fund the Emily Normandin-Parker Foundation to advocate for stronger rideshare safety.