First pedestrian death from a self-driving car causes Uber to suspend all autonomous car testing

Elaine Herzberg, a 49-year-old woman from Tempe, Arizona, USA was hit and killed by a self driving car as she crossed the street on Sunday night. In response, Uber has immediately suspended all of its self-driving car tests.

Arizona police said that the accident happened while the car was in autonomous mode. A human monitor was also behind the wheel. Police added that Herzberg was not crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing. She was taken to a local hospital, where she died.

While self-driving cars have been involved in multiple accidents, this is the first time an autonomous car has been involved in a fatal collision.

Uber chief Dara Khosrowshahi said the death was "incredibly sad news".

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