Self-driving car kills US pedestrian
WASHINGTON: Ride-sharing giant Uber said on Monday it is suspending use of self-driving cars after one of the vehicles struck and killed a pedestrian in Arizona.
The Uber vehicle was in autonomous mode, with an operator behind the wheel, when it hit a woman walking in the street in the city of Tempe late on Sunday, according to the San Francisco-based company.
The victim was hospitalised but later died from her injuries.
“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family,” a spokesman said.
“We are fully cooperating with local authorities in their investigation of this incident.”
Uber said it had temporarily halted its use of self-driving cars for testing or customer rides in Tempe, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and San Francisco.
Tempe is one of just two cities – along with Pittsburgh – where the ride-sharing firm has been using autonomous vehicles as part of its regular passenger service.
The vehicle operator in the driver’s seat was the only person in the car during the accident, it said.
The car is in police hands on Monday.
Sunday’s accident was the first fatal self-driving car crash involving a pedestrian.
The first deadly self-driving car accident was reported in mid-2016, and involved a Tesla. – AFP