In North Carolina, a tragic incident occurred when Phil Paxson, a 47-year-old father of two girls, lost his life in a vehicle accident. The accident took place when his vehicle veered off the road and into a ditch while crossing the Snow Creek Bridge in Hickory. His widow has placed the blame on Google for this unfortunate incident.
According to international media reports, the incident unfolded as Phil Paxson was returning from a birthday party for his 9-year-old daughter, held at a friend’s residence in North Carolina, during a rainy night. As darkness set in, Paxson relied on Google Maps, a navigation app on his phone, to guide him home, which was approximately 4.3 miles away and a 10-minute drive. However, the GPS led him to the Snow Creek Bridge, which had partially collapsed back in 2013.
Approaching the bridge, Paxson’s Jeep Gladiator plummeted 20 feet off the road into a ditch. North Carolina safety authorities noted that typically, barriers are in place on the bridge to prevent such accidents. However, due to recent repair and demolition work, the barriers had been removed from the bridge shortly before the incident.
In response to this tragedy, Paxson’s widow has taken legal action against Google, holding the tech company responsible for her husband’s untimely demise. The lawsuit was officially filed on September 19 in North Carolina Superior Court, located in Wake County, where Google also maintains its registered office.
The lawsuit’s claims assert that Google neglected to address concerns raised by local residents regarding the damaged bridge and did not keep its mapping information up to date. Furthermore, the lawsuit highlights that as of April 2023, Google Maps still indicated that the bridge was passable, despite its actual condition.