Uber Driver Was Streaming The Voice Before Fatal Crash

'Safety driver' in self-driving vehicle could face charges in Arizona

By Newser Editors, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 22, 2018 12:37 PM CDT

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Uber Driver Was Streaming The Voice Before Fatal Crash — This file image made from video March 18, 2018, of a mounted camera provided by the Tempe Police Department shows an exterior view moments before an Uber SUV hit a woman in Tempe, Ariz. (Tempe Police Department via AP, File)

"Entirely avoidable." That's what police in Tempe, Arizona, have concluded about the fatal crash involving a self-driving Uber car and a pedestrian in March. One big reason? Police say the person in the car who was supposed to be providing a safety check was streaming The Voice on Hulu, reports Reuters. Police say Rafaela Vasquez was distracted and kept glancing at the screen prior to the car hitting 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg. Vasquez, who looked up about a half-second before impact, could face charges as a result. Meanwhile, police also released her 911 call in which she tells the dispatcher that she struck someone and needs paramedics, and you can listen via Arizona Central. (Read more self-driving car stories.)