Uber Forced To Pay $20M After Driver Abandoned Young Woman On 73 Highway: Report

COSTA MESA, CA — Uber will pay $40 million to the parents of a 23-year-old woman who was killed after a ride-share driver abandoned her near traffic on the State route 73 highway, The Orange County Register reported.

The parents of Emily Normandin-Parker, Carol Normandin and Ken Parker, sat down with "Good Morning America" to discuss the events leading up to their daughter's death and the arbitration award.

According to ABC7, when asked if they believe Uber put profits over their daughter's safety, Normandin responded, "Absolutely."

Normandin-Parker was taking an Uber home with her friend Luna Moore after a night out on Aug. 12, 2023, when her friend became sick during the ride, according to the BBC.

The driver, Vu Tran, pulled over on State Route 73 in Orange County at a gore point — which is the triangular area by the off-ramp on the freeway — and asked for a cleaning fee before ousting the young women, the outlet reported.

Normandin-Parker was apparently left stranded alongside freeway lanes, where she was hit by several vehicles and killed, the BBC reported.

In a statement published by The Orange County Register, Uber officials said they disagreed with the decision.

"No family should have to suffer the loss of a child, and our thoughts continue to be with the Normandin-Parker family," Uber officials wrote. "While we respect the arbitration process, we believe the arbitrator was wrong in holding Uber legally responsible for the tragic events of that night."