Uber Suspends Self-Driving Car Tests in Canada After Pedestrian Killed in Arizona

 

Popular (and sometimes controversial) ridesharing company Uber has suspended all autonomous vehicle operations in Toronto and a host of U.S. cities after a pedestrian was struck and killed in Tempe, Arizona.

Our hearts go out to the victim’s family. We’re fully cooperating with @TempePolice and local authorities as they investigate this incident.

— Uber Comms (@Uber_Comms) March 19, 2018

According to a recent NPR article, a self-driving car operated by Uber struck and killed a 49-year-old woman who was walking her bicycle in Tempe, Ariz., on Sunday, March 18.

According to the article, this could be the first pedestrian death involving an autonomous vehicle.

Shortly after news of the incident broke, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi took to Twitter to confirm the news and reassure customers that the company is working with local law enforcement to determine what went wrong.

Some incredibly sad news out of Arizona. We’re thinking of the victim’s family as we work with local law enforcement to understand what happened. https://t.co/cwTCVJjEuz

— dara khosrowshahi (@dkhos) March 19, 2018

The Tempe police department told NPR that the vehicle was in autonomous mode but had a human riding along to take control of the car if necessary.

Police said the victim, Elaine Herzberg, was struck while walking outside a crosswalk.

NPR reports that Uber has suspended all autonomous vehicle operations in Pittsburgh, Tempe, San Francisco and Toronto in response to the crash.