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Waymo Self-Driving Vehicle Strikes Child Near Elementary School
Federal officials investigate incident resulting in minor injuries
Jan. 30, 2026 at 10:23am
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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, 2026, during school drop-off hours, with the child running across the street from behind a double-parked SUV towards the school. The Waymo vehicle, which was being operated by its automated driving system with no safety operator, immediately detected the child and braked, but still made contact at a reduced speed of under 6 mph. The child stood up and walked to the sidewalk, and Waymo called 911. Federal officials, including the NHTSA and NTSB, are investigating the incident.
Why it matters
This incident raises concerns about the safety of autonomous vehicles, especially in areas with high pedestrian traffic near schools. It also highlights the challenges self-driving cars face in navigating complex urban environments with unpredictable human behavior.
The details
According to the NHTSA, the Waymo vehicle was traveling at approximately 17 mph when it detected the child emerging from behind the double-parked SUV. The vehicle braked hard, reducing its speed to under 6 mph before making contact with the child. Waymo reported the incident to the NHTSA the same day and said it will cooperate fully with the investigation. The NHTSA and NTSB will examine whether the self-driving vehicle "exercised appropriate caution" given the proximity to the elementary school and the presence of young pedestrians.
- 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.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
An independent federal agency that investigates transportation accidents and incidents.
Santa Monica Police Department
The local law enforcement agency that is coordinating with the NTSB on the safety investigation.
What’s next
The NHTSA and NTSB will continue their investigation into the incident to determine if the Waymo self-driving vehicle acted appropriately and if any safety improvements are needed for autonomous vehicles operating near schools and pedestrians.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges and risks associated with the deployment of self-driving vehicles, especially in complex urban environments with high pedestrian traffic. It underscores the need for continued vigilance, testing, and safety improvements to ensure the safe integration of autonomous technology on our roads.
