Waymo Autonomous Vehicle Collides with Pedestrian Near Santa Monica Elementary School, Federal Investigation Launched
A Waymo autonomous vehicle was involved in a collision with a minor pedestrian near an elementary school in Santa Monica on January 23, 2026, according to official company reports. The incident resulted in minor injuries to the child, whose identity and age remain undisclosed.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a formal investigation into the incident. Waymo has committed to full cooperation throughout the investigative process. Additionally, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced its own parallel investigation in coordination with the Santa Monica Police Department.
Incident Details:
According to Waymo's official statement, the autonomous vehicle struck the pedestrian at approximately 6 mph after executing emergency braking from an initial speed of 17 mph. The company reports that the young pedestrian "suddenly entered the roadway from behind a tall SUV, moving directly into the vehicle's path."
Waymo's sensor systems detected the individual immediately upon emergence from behind the stopped vehicle. Following the collision, the pedestrian stood up, walked to the sidewalk independently, and emergency services were contacted. The autonomous vehicle remained stationary at the scene until cleared by law enforcement.
Regulatory Context:
This incident occurs amid ongoing federal scrutiny of Waymo's autonomous operations. The company currently faces dual investigations concerning robotaxis illegally passing stopped school buses:
• NHTSA opened an investigation in October 2025 following an incident in Atlanta, Georgia
• NTSB launched a separate probe after approximately 20 similar incidents were reported in Austin, Texas
Safety Concerns:
The NHTSA noted that the collision occurred "within two blocks" of the elementary school "during normal school drop-off hours." The environment included multiple children, a crossing guard, and several double-parked vehicles. The agency's Office of Defects Investigation is examining "whether the Waymo AV exercised appropriate caution" given the proximity to the school, drop-off timing, and presence of vulnerable road users.
In its defense, Waymo cited internal modeling suggesting that "a fully attentive human driver in this same situation would have made contact with the pedestrian at approximately 14 mph." However, the company has not released a detailed technical analysis specific to this collision.
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