Uber reaches deal with victim’s family
Investigation into self-driving car incident continues.
was struck by a Volvo XC90 that was operating in autonomous mode. It is believed to be the first fatality in any testing program involving autonomous vehicles.
The crashed raised questions over companies’ readThe family of 49-year-old iness to deploy autonomous Elaine Herzberg, who was vehicles on public roads, killed earlier this month and who should be held when she was hit by one responsible when such of Uber’s self-driving vehi- crashes take place. In the cles in Tempe, Arizona, has aftermath of the crash, Uber reached a settlement with suspended testing of its the ride-hailing giant, an autonomous vehicles in attorney for the family said North America indefinitely, Thursday. and Arizona and Califor
The terms of the settle- nia rescinded permission ment, less than two weeks for the company to test its after the fatal crash, were vehicle on their roadways. unknown, but appeared to While Herzberg was outforestall a potential legal side of a marked crosswalk, showdown in the case. video footage graphically
Attorney Cristina Perez illustrated how the autonoHesano, who is represent- mous vehicle and its backup ing the family, declined to driver failed to protect her comment on the settlement as she entered the roadway. but she issued a short state- The backup driver, Rafaela ment on the family’s behalf. Vasquez, 44, can be seen
“Bellah Perez, PLLC, the repeatedly looking away daughter and the husband from the road just before of the late Ms. Herzberg the crash. will have no further comQuestions of legal liability ments on this matter, as it immediately arose. has now been resolved,” she With the settlement, it said, referring to the name appeared many of the subof the Glendale, Ariz., law stantive legal questions firm where she is a partner. would not immediately be Perez declined to discuss answered. At least not in the terms of the settlement court. or whether it absolved Uber The National Transporof questions of legal liability. tation Safety Board and
An Uber spokeswoman the National Highway Trafdeclined to comment. fic Safety Administration
Herzberg was walking a have dual investigations bike across a street, outside into the crash, and Tempe the crosswalk, around 10 police continue to probe p.m. March 18, when she the crash.