The tragic death of a North Carolina man who drove off a collapsed bridge while following directions from Google Maps has led his family to sue the tech giant for negligence. The family claims that Google failed to update its navigation system after the bridge had washed away nine years prior. Philip Paxson was driving home on September 30, 2022, when his Jeep plunged into Snow Creek in Hickory, causing him to drown. The lawsuit, filed by his family, expresses their disbelief that those responsible for the GPS directions and the bridge could have shown such little regard for human life.
According to the lawsuit, there were no barriers or warning signs along the roadway, which had been washed out in a 2013 flood. Paxson’s car fell off an unguarded edge and crashed 20 feet below. State troopers found his body inside the overturned and partially submerged Jeep. Multiple individuals had notified Google Maps about the broken bridge before Paxson’s death, urging the company to update its route information, but allegedly, nothing was done. The lawsuit provides email records from a Hickory resident who used Google Maps’ “suggest and edit” feature to inform the company about the collapsed bridge in 2020. Despite receiving the report, the tech giant allegedly took no further action.
The bridge is not maintained by local or state officials, as confirmed by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. The original developer of the bridge has dissolved. The lawsuit names businessman James Tarlton and the companies Tarde LLC and Hinckley Gauvain LLC as the owners of the bridge and its surrounding land. They are accused of failing to repair the damaged bridge and provide proper lighting to prevent accidents. The lawsuit was filed in Wake County, North Carolina, due to Google’s presence in the state.
During a press conference, Alicia Paxson’s attorney emphasized that the tragedy still does not feel real to her. The lawsuit highlights the fact that Philip Paxson was unfamiliar with the area and relied on Google Maps, ultimately leading to his untimely demise. An obituary for Paxson describes his love for motor vehicles and his passion for adventure. He prioritized his family and friends, always ready for new experiences.
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