San Francisco Police Investigate Zoox Robotaxi Collision with Parked Vehicle
On January 17, 2026, at approximately 2 p.m., a Zoox autonomous vehicle collided with the driver’s side door of a parked 1977 Cadillac Coupe DeVille near the intersection of 15th and Mission Streets in San Francisco. The vehicle’s owner, Jamel Durden, a local street ambassador, had just opened his car door when the incident occurred, resulting in an injury to his hand and damage to the Zoox robotaxi’s glass doors.
The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) responded promptly to the scene and has since initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision. According to the SFPD, the Zoox vehicle was carrying a passenger at the time of the accident. Zoox confirmed that the passenger was one of their employees, who fortunately did not sustain any injuries.
In a statement released on January 20, Zoox emphasized their commitment to safety and transparency, stating they are fully cooperating with local authorities to provide an accurate account of the incident. The company also filed its own police report and has not been asked for additional details as of now.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which oversees autonomous vehicle operations in the state, has also been briefed on the incident. Zoox submitted a crash report in compliance with California regulations, though this report has not yet been made public.
This incident comes as Zoox is in the early stages of rolling out its robotaxi service in San Francisco. In November 2025, the company began offering free rides to select members of the public through its Zoox Explorer early-rider program, a similar initiative to one operating in Las Vegas, Nevada.
However, the deployment has faced challenges. In December 2025, Zoox issued a recall to address a software issue that caused some vehicles to cross center lanes and block crosswalks. Prior to this, in May 2025, the company recalled approximately 270 vehicles following a collision in Las Vegas involving a Zoox robotaxi and a passenger car. The recall aimed to address concerns about the self-driving software’s ability to predict the movements of other road users.
The January 17 collision underscores the complexities and potential risks associated with integrating autonomous vehicles into urban environments. As the SFPD continues its investigation, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous testing and regulatory oversight in the deployment of self-driving technology.
