Waymo Robotaxi Strikes Child Near Santa Monica Elementary School, Prompting Federal Investigation
On January 23, 2026, a Waymo autonomous vehicle collided with a child near Grant Elementary School in Santa Monica, California. The incident occurred during the morning drop-off period, a time when the area is bustling with children, parents, and school staff. The child, whose identity and age have not been disclosed, sustained minor injuries and was able to walk to the sidewalk immediately after the collision.
Incident Details
According to Waymo, the child suddenly entered the roadway from behind a tall SUV, moving directly into the path of the robotaxi. The vehicle’s sensors detected the child as soon as they began to emerge from behind the stopped vehicle. The Waymo Driver, the company’s autonomous driving system, braked hard, reducing its speed from approximately 17 miles per hour to under 6 miles per hour before making contact with the child. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/waymo-robotaxi-hits-a-child-near-an-elementary-school-in-santa-monica/?utm_source=openai))
Immediate Response
Following the collision, the child stood up immediately and walked to the sidewalk. Waymo’s vehicle remained stopped, moved to the side of the road, and stayed there until law enforcement cleared it to leave the scene. The company promptly called 911 to report the incident. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/waymo-robotaxi-hits-a-child-near-an-elementary-school-in-santa-monica/?utm_source=openai))
Federal Investigation
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into the accident. The agency aims to determine whether the Waymo autonomous vehicle exercised appropriate caution, especially given its proximity to the elementary school during drop-off hours and the presence of young pedestrians and other potential vulnerable road users. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/waymo-robotaxi-hits-a-child-near-an-elementary-school-in-santa-monica/?utm_source=openai))
Waymo’s Statement
In a blog post, Waymo stated that its peer-reviewed model indicates a fully attentive human driver in the same situation would have made contact with the pedestrian at approximately 14 miles per hour. The company emphasized that the significant reduction in impact speed and severity demonstrates the material safety benefit of the Waymo Driver. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/waymo-robotaxi-hits-a-child-near-an-elementary-school-in-santa-monica/?utm_source=openai))
Context and Safety Measures
This incident has raised questions about the safety of autonomous vehicles, particularly in school zones. The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation is examining whether the Waymo vehicle exercised appropriate caution given its proximity to the elementary school during drop-off hours and the presence of young pedestrians and other potential vulnerable road users. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/waymo-robotaxi-hits-a-child-near-an-elementary-school-in-santa-monica/?utm_source=openai))
Previous Incidents
This event comes amid other safety concerns involving Waymo’s autonomous vehicles. The NHTSA had previously opened a probe into incidents where Waymo’s robotaxis illegally passed school buses. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also initiated its own investigation after approximately 20 such incidents were reported in Austin, Texas. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/waymo-robotaxi-hits-a-child-near-an-elementary-school-in-santa-monica/?utm_source=openai))
Community Response
Local authorities and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District have expressed concern over the incident. Brandyi Phillips, a spokeswoman for the district, stated that local fire and police departments responded within minutes of the collision, and thankfully, the student was not seriously injured. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/01/29/waymo-autonomous-vehicle-crash/?utm_source=openai))
Waymo’s Commitment to Safety
Waymo has reiterated its commitment to safety and transparency. The company has pledged to cooperate fully with the NHTSA and other regulatory bodies throughout the investigation process. Waymo’s blog post emphasized that safety is their highest priority, both for their riders and those with whom they share the roads. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/29/waymo-robotaxi-hits-a-child-near-an-elementary-school-in-santa-monica/?utm_source=openai))
Implications for Autonomous Vehicles
This incident underscores the challenges autonomous vehicles face in complex urban environments, especially near schools where unpredictable pedestrian behavior is common. It also highlights the importance of rigorous testing and continuous improvement of autonomous driving systems to ensure they can handle such scenarios safely.
Conclusion
As autonomous vehicles become more prevalent, incidents like this serve as critical learning opportunities for the industry. They emphasize the need for ongoing collaboration between technology companies, regulatory agencies, and communities to ensure the safety of all road users.
