By Ryan Randazzo and Paulina Pineda | Arizona Republic
The family of the woman killed by an autonomous Uber vehicle last year has filed a $10 million claim against Tempe, stating the city created a dangerous situation by paving a median where people were not supposed to cross the road.
Elaine Herzberg, a 49-year-old woman who was homeless, was the first person in the country to be hit and killed by a self-driving car. A Volvo sport-utility vehicle operated by Uber ran into her on March 18 as she crossed Mill Avenue outside of a crosswalk.
The claim against Tempe was filed by Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience on behalf of Herzberg’s daughter, Christine Wood, and Herzberg’s husband, Rolf Ziemann.
The law firm is asking for $5 million for each of the survivors.
Officials at the law firm did not respond to a request for comment.
Ziemann and Wood could not be reached.
The city does not comment on pending litigation, said Nikki Ripley, a city spokeswoman. Ripley confirmed that Tempe had not responded to the claim.
