Testing halted on Uber’s autonomous car program after what is believed to be the first fatal pedestrian accident involving a self-driving vehicle.
Uber suspended all of its self-driving testing Monday following what is believed to be the first fatal pedestrian accident involving an autonomous vehicle.
The accident involved a pedestrian who was hit by a self-driving Uber in Tempe, Ariz., according to police in the Phoenix suburb.
Tempe police said Monday that the Uber vehicle was in autonomous mode with an operator behind the wheel when the woman walking outside of a crosswalk was hit.
Sgt. Ronald Elcock says in an email that the accident happened overnight but did not say whether it occurred Sunday night or Monday morning.
The woman died of her injuries at a hospital. Her name was not made public.
“Some incredibly sad news out of Arizona,” Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi tweeted Monday. “We’re thinking of the victim’s family as we work with local law enforcement to understand what happened.”
“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family,” the company added in a tweet from its main account. “We’re fully cooperating with @ TempePolice and local authorities as they investigate this incident.”
The company did not immediately respond to an email message sent Monday morning seeking comment.
Police said Uber is cooperating in the investigation.
Uber has been testing the self-driving vehicles in Tempe and Phoenix for months.
