Waymo Robotaxi Strikes Child Near Santa Monica School

On Friday, a Waymo self-driving vehicle was involved in an incident where it struck a child pedestrian near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California. Waymo confirmed the event on Wednesday, reporting that they had voluntarily contacted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the same day the incident occurred. The NHTSA has since stated its intention to investigate the matter.

According to Waymo, the child "suddenly entered the roadway" from behind a tall SUV. The company stated its vehicle's technology detected the child and braked hard, reducing speed significantly before contact. The child sustained minor injuries and was able to walk to the sidewalk after the incident. Waymo contacted emergency services and awaited law enforcement at the scene.

The NHTSA's investigation will focus on whether the Waymo vehicle operated with adequate caution, especially given the proximity to an elementary school during busy drop-off hours and the presence of other children, a crossing guard, and parked vehicles. The agency will also review Waymo's post-incident response.

This incident adds to a history of high-profile events involving Waymo vehicles as the company expands. Previous occurrences include navigation issues in construction zones and a widely reported incident involving a pedestrian fatality in San Francisco in October. Waymo frequently cites its safety reports, which indicate fewer injury-causing crashes compared to human drivers.