Archive · 30 Jan 2026
US Probes Waymo After Child Struck Near School
A self-driving car made by Waymo hit a child near a school in California.
The child ran out from behind a parked car, and the car tried to stop but still hit the child.
The child was okay and walked away.
Now, the government is checking if the car did everything it should have to keep people safe.
Waymo says they are helping with the investigation.
This happened the same day another group started looking into Waymo cars passing school buses in Texas.
Waymo had to update their cars' software because of this problem before.
NHTSA is investigating a Waymo self-driving vehicle that struck a child near a Santa Monica elementary school on January 23.
The child ran out from behind a double-parked SUV, and the Waymo vehicle braked hard but still made contact at under 6 mph.
NHTSA will examine the vehicle's behavior in school zones and Waymo's post-impact response.
Waymo claims a human driver would have hit the child at 14 mph and that they are cooperating with the investigation.
The incident occurred the same day NTSB opened an investigation into Waymo vehicles illegally passing school buses in Texas.
- Who
- Waymo (Alphabet unit), NHTSA, NTSB, a child
- What
- Investigation into Waymo self-driving vehicle striking a child
- When
- Incident on January 23, investigation announced January 25
- Where
- Near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California
- Why
- To determine if Waymo AV exercised appropriate caution near a school
- Date of Incident
- January 23
- Location
- Santa Monica, California
- Injuries
- Minor
- Vehicle Speed Before Impact
- 17 mph
- Vehicle Speed at Impact
- Under 6 mph
- Investigating Agencies
- NHTSA, NTSB
- Waymo's Response
- Cooperating with investigation, called 911
