A family has been awarded $40 million in a legal case involving the death of their 23-year-old daughter, Emily Normandin-Parker, who was left on a freeway by an Uber driver. The incident occurred on August 12, 2023, when Emily and a friend ordered an Uber ride after a night out. During the ride, Emily’s friend became ill and vomited in the car. The driver then pulled over on State Route 73 in Orange County and asked the women to exit the vehicle, leaving them stranded on the side of the freeway. As the Uber drove away, Emily was struck by another car and killed. Emily’s parents, Carol Normandin and Ken Parker, expressed their frustration that neither the driver nor Uber took responsibility for the tragedy. “They’re still not taking responsibility,” Parker said. “We do not want this to ever happen to another mother or another father.” During a five-day arbitration hearing, Uber argued that the driver was an independent contractor under California law and therefore not directly liable to the company. However, a retired judge acting as the arbitrator ruled that Uber was responsible and awarded $20 million to each of the parents. Uber disputed the decision in a statement, saying, “No family should have to suffer the loss of a child, and our thoughts continue to be with the Normandin-Parker family.” The company also said it believed the arbitrator was wrong in holding Uber legally responsible for the events of that night. Following the ruling, Uber initially offered a settlement that would have required the family to stop speaking publicly about the incident, with a penalty of $10 million for each public mention. The family rejected the offer, stating that the case was never about money. In response to the tragedy, the family established the Emily Normandin-Parker Foundation to honor their daughter and push for stronger safety regulations in the rideshare industry. “In a private car, it's whatever rules they have,” Normandin said. “I think the whole business model of someone getting in a stranger's car, a stranger to both Uber and a stranger to us, is just dangerous.”