Google sued after Maps directed man to drive off a collapsed bridge

The family of a man from North Carolina who died after following Google Maps directions and driving his car off a collapsed bridge is suing the tech giant for negligence, claiming that the company knew about the collapse but did not update its navigation system.

The Associated Press reported that Philip Paxson, a medical device salesman and father of two, drowned September 30, 2022, after his Jeep Gladiator plunged into Snow Creek in Hickory, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Wake County Superior Court.

Also read: Google sued for location tracking practices in the US

While Paxson was returning from his daughter's ninth birthday party through an unknown neighbourhood, Google Maps allegedly instructed him to cross a bridge that had collapsed nine years earlier and was never rebuilt.

“Our girls ask how and why their daddy died, and I’m at a loss for words they can understand because, as an adult, I still can’t understand how those responsible for the GPS directions and the bridge could have acted with so little regard for human life,” Paxson’s wife, Alicia Paxson, said.

It was reported by state troopers that there were no barricades or warning signs along the washed-out road where Paxton's body was discovered in his flipped-over and partially submerged truck. According to the lawsuit, he had driven off an unsecured ledge and crashed around 20 feet below.

Google Maps is one of the most popular navigation apps worldwide. Millions of users rely upon it for everyday travel and directions. However, incidents like the case of Philip Paxson highlight the potential consequences of relying solely on digital navigation tools.

After this incident, users and the general public may likely become more cautious about trusting GPS systems entirely. This incident could lead to increased awareness about the importance of verifying routes and being cautious, especially in unfamiliar areas, and it may prompt Google and other navigation companies to prioritise regular updates and accuracy in their systems, as well as implement additional safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.