Waymo Self-Driving Vehicle Strikes Child Near Elementary School

Federal investigation launched after minor injuries reported in Santa Monica incident

Jan. 29, 2026 at 10:31pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Federal officials have opened an investigation after a Waymo self-driving vehicle struck a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California, resulting in minor injuries. The incident occurred on January 23 during school drop-off hours, with the child running across the street from behind a double-parked SUV towards the school and being hit by the Waymo autonomous vehicle, which was traveling at around 17 mph before braking to under 6 mph on impact.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about the safety of autonomous vehicles operating in areas with high pedestrian traffic, especially near schools. The investigation will examine whether the Waymo vehicle exercised appropriate caution given the proximity to the school and presence of young pedestrians.

The details

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Waymo vehicle was being operated by its automated driving system and had no safety operator inside. After the collision, the child stood up and walked to the sidewalk, and Waymo reported the incident to the NHTSA the same day. Waymo stated that its technology immediately detected the child emerging from behind the stopped vehicle, and the autonomous driver braked hard to reduce speed before the impact.

  • The incident occurred on January 23, 2026 during school drop-off hours.
  • Waymo reported the incident to the NHTSA on the same day it occurred.

The players

Waymo

An American autonomous driving company and a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

The federal agency responsible for investigating vehicle safety issues and setting safety standards for motor vehicles and equipment.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Our technology immediately detected the individual as soon as they began to emerge from behind the stopped vehicle. The autonomous driver braked hard, reducing speed from approximately 17 mph to under 6 mph before contact was made.”

— Waymo (ksro.com)

What’s next

The NHTSA investigation will look into whether the Waymo self-driving vehicle exercised appropriate caution given its proximity to the elementary school and the presence of young pedestrians.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of ensuring the safety of autonomous vehicles, especially in high-traffic areas near schools where children are present. The investigation will provide important insights into how self-driving technology can be improved to better protect vulnerable road users.