Waymo Car Involved in Accident with Child in Santa Monica
Autonomous Waymo Vehicle Strikes Student in Santa Monica
LOS ANGELES – A Waymo driverless vehicle was involved in an incident Friday morning in Santa Monica, striking a student on his way to school, according to local police.
The collision occurred at approximately 7:40 a.m. near the intersection of 24th and Pearl streets, close to Grant Elementary School. Santa Monica Police Department spokesman Lt. Lewis Gilmour provided preliminary details, stating that the student had entered the roadway outside the designated crosswalk and away from the on-duty crossing guard. The incident resulted in a low-speed collision, and fortunately, the child was unharmed.
Reports indicate that the student was with his parents at the time of the accident, though their ages remain unspecified.
Waymo addressed the incident in a statement on its website. The company noted that its vehicle detected the child as he emerged from behind a stopped vehicle. "The event occurred when the pedestrian suddenly entered the roadway from behind a tall SUV, moving directly into our vehicle’s path,” the statement read. The Waymo vehicle braked sharply, reducing its speed from approximately 17 mph to under 6 mph before making contact.
Waymo further explained that its peer-reviewed model suggests a fully attentive human driver in the same scenario would have struck the pedestrian at around 14 mph, highlighting the safety benefit of the Waymo technology.
Following the incident, the student reportedly stood up and walked to the sidewalk. The Waymo vehicle stayed at the scene and contacted 911. It remained until law enforcement arrived to provide assistance and clear the vehicle to leave.
In response to the event, Waymo informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) later that day and indicated plans to initiate an investigation into the collision.
