One woman is dead in what’s believed to be the first pedestrian fatality involving a driverless vehicle.
The incident happened around 10 p.m. on Sunday, when a self-driving Uber vehicle struck a woman in Tempe, AZ.
Uber halted autonomous vehicle tests after one of its cars struck and killed a woman in Tempe, Arizona, in what is likely the first pedestrian fatality involving the technology https://t.co/eF8BT1lNvS pic.twitter.com/QCInmBtHYd
— TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) March 19, 2018
“The vehicle involved is one of Uber’s self-driving vehicles,” explained a release from the Tempe Police Department. “It was in autonomous mode at the time of the collision, with a vehicle operator behind the wheel.”
The woman was walking just outside of the crosswalk when she was struck by the vehicle.
She was transported to hospital where she passed away from her injuries.
The Tempe Police Department says the investigation remains active and Uber is fully cooperating with law enforcement.
“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family,” said a statement from Uber. “We’re fully cooperating with Tempe Police and local authorities as they investigate the incident.”
Uber added that it would be stopping all tests of autonomous cars in Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Toronto and the Phoenix area following the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board is launching an investigation into the incident as well.
Sunday’s death is reportedly the first pedestrian fatality involving a self-driving vehicle, but no official confirmation has been made on that.
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