Waymo’s Autonomous Vehicle Involved in Low-Speed Incident With Student in Santa Monica

An autonomous vehicle operated by Waymo was involved in a traffic incident with a student in Santa Monica last week. Fortunately, the child was unharmed, as confirmed by the Santa Monica Police Department.

According to a statement from the Santa Monica Police Department, officers responded to the collision at approximately 8:31 a.m. on January 23, 2026. The incident occurred near the intersection of 24th Street and Pearl Street, close to Grant Elementary School.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the student entered the street outside of a designated crosswalk and away from a crossing guard. The collision occurred at a low speed, and no injuries were reported.

Emergency personnel from the Santa Monica Fire Department assessed the situation and evaluated the student on-site. Although the parent of the child was present during the incident, police officers conducted a thorough investigation of what took place. The event is currently under review.

Waymo’s Response and Compliance

Waymo, which is part of Alphabet Inc., promptly released a statement concerning the incident. The company indicated that they had contacted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the same day as the event.

NHTSA has announced intentions to initiate an investigation into the collision, and Waymo has pledged complete cooperation with the regulatory agency throughout this review process.

The Incident Details

Waymo provided further insights into the circumstances surrounding the accident. The company stated that the student unexpectedly entered the roadway from behind a tall SUV, moving directly into the path of the vehicle.

Waymo’s technology detected the pedestrian immediately as they began to emerge from the obstructing vehicle. The Waymo Driver braked sharply, reducing its speed from approximately 17 mph to under 6 mph before contact occurred.

Safety Comparisons and Technology Claims

In a comparison to human driving behavior, Waymo suggested that the vehicle slowed more quickly than a typical human driver would. Their peer-reviewed model indicated that a fully attentive human would have made contact with the student at about 14 mph if the circumstances had been identical.

The company emphasized that this substantial reduction in impact speed significantly demonstrates the safety advantages provided by the Waymo Driver technology.

Aftermath of the Collision

Following the incident, the pedestrian stood up immediately, walked to the sidewalk, and authorities were called to the scene. Waymo reported that the autonomous vehicle remained stationary until law enforcement arrived and cleared it to continue on its route.

Broader Implications for Autonomous Vehicles

This incident highlights the ongoing discussions surrounding the safety and regulatory oversight of autonomous vehicles. As technology progresses, incidents involving self-driving cars will likely lead to intense scrutiny and calls for clearer regulations.

The intersection of technology and safety continues to evolve, necessitating ongoing conversations about pedestrian safety and vehicle automation. As industry leaders like Waymo strive to improve their technology, the importance of thorough investigations and transparency cannot be overstated.