Uber Shutting Down Arizona Self-Driving Operations, 200 Laid Off

PHOENIX, AZ – Uber is closing up shop in Arizona two months after one of its self-driving cars killed a pedestrian. About 200 workers were notified on Wednesday that they would be losing their jobs.

The company has faced increased scrutiny since March 18 when one of their cars crashed into Elaine Herzberg as she walked her bicycle across a street in Tempe.

"We are not shutting down our self-driving program," Uber said in a statement. "We are actively working to make a return to the road a reality."

Uber says that they are "doubling down" on their operations in Pittsburgh and San Francisco. (Get Phoenix Patch's real-time news alerts and free morning news letters. Like us on Facebook. Also, download the free Patch iPhone app or free Patch Android app.)

The company voluntarily suspended its self-driving program after the crash. They won't restart it until after investigations – including one by the National Transportation Safety Board – are complete.

Uber says that they are in talks with California Governor Jerry Brown, the state's Department of Motor Vehicles, and the cities of Sacramento and San Francisco.

Photo - Uber via Tempe Police.