| Source | What it reported | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Times | Uber was ordered to pay $40 million after a driver ordered Normandin-Parker and a friend out near California 73. | Sept. 17, 2026 |
| Orange County Register | The award gave $20 million each to Normandin-Parker's parents and cited the arbitration decision. | Sept. 17, 2026 |
| ABC News | The arbitrator rejected Uber's Proposition 22 argument and described the stop as unsafe and illegal. | Sept. 17, 2026 |
What did the reports say happened?
The Los Angeles Times reported that Normandin-Parker, a 23-year-old UCLA graduate, called an Uber after a night out and was killed after driver Vu Tran pulled over on California 73. The Times attributed the account to a release from Panish, Shea, Ravipudi, the law firm representing her parents.
The Orange County Register reported that Tran stopped around 1 a.m. near the MacArthur off-ramp in a gore point, a triangular freeway split. According to the Register's summary of the evidence, Tran demanded a cleaning fee after Normandin-Parker's friend became sick and ordered both women out of the car.
What did the arbitration award say?
ABC News reported that retired Judge Richard A. Stone described the gore point as an "unsafe and illegal" area and found Tran could have taken the nearby MacArthur Boulevard exit to stop in a safer location. ABC News also reported that Stone found Tran knew both women were intoxicated before leaving them there.
The Orange County Register reported that Stone awarded $20 million to each parent and said Uber and Tran were liable. ABC News reported that Stone rejected Uber's argument that Proposition 22 prevented liability and found Uber provided transportation services to the public through its app.
How did Uber respond?
The Los Angeles Times and ABC News both quoted Uber saying its thoughts remain with the Normandin-Parker family, but that it believes the arbitrator was wrong to hold Uber legally responsible. ABC News reported that Uber said it has added guidance about avoiding unsafe drop-offs.
Lederer & Nojima LLP maintains a car accident practice page with general claim information. Results may vary. Contact our office for a case evaluation. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Sources
- Los Angeles Times: Uber must pay $40 million to family of woman killed after driver ordered her out of the car on the freeway
- Orange County Register: Uber ordered to pay $40 million to parents of passenger killed on OC highway
- ABC News: Uber ordered to pay $40M to parents of woman fatally struck after being left on freeway
- Panish, Shea, Ravipudi LLP arbitration award PDF