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If a Google engineer murders his neighbor over the weekend, is Google liable?

If google gave the engineer the gun or heavy machinery that was used in the crime, perhaps. If negligence on google's part can be proven. (For example, giving a gun to a convicted felon)

Was he in an Uber owned car? Don't Uber drivers own the car they drive in?

It looks like he wasn't doing any Uber-related business at the time: "The driver was not providing services on the Uber system during the time of the accident." It'd be more like a NY driver having an accident on his own time I'd think

"The driver was not providing services on the Uber system during the time of the accident. We again extend our deepest condolences to the family and victims of this tragic accident."

If a NY Taxi driver got into an accident off the clock, how would the company be liable?

quoting from the short article: "Taxi companies, who employ independent contractors just like Uber does, have faced negligent hiring charges in the past."