Waymo Involvement in Los Angeles Collision

A collision involving two vehicles, one being a Waymo self-driving car, occurred near downtown Los Angeles on Sunday. This incident resulted in two individuals being hospitalized and several others sustaining injuries, according to first responders.

Accident Details

The crash was reported at 5:45 a.m. near the intersection of Venice Boulevard and Toberman Street in the Pico-Union neighborhood. While the Los Angeles Police Department has not confirmed the total number of victims, the Los Angeles Fire Department stated that at least two people were transported to local hospitals. Additionally, at least one individual received treatment at the scene and was released.

Debris and clothing scattered around the area were visible in photos from the accident site. Initially, the incident was reported as an auto-pedestrian collision, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation. The police declared that their investigation was still ongoing as of noon on Sunday.

Waymo’s Statement

A spokesperson from Waymo, Ethan Teicher, indicated that their vehicle was not responsible for the accident. According to the company, the Waymo car was traveling east at 27 mph on Venice Boulevard. Meanwhile, a blue sedan traveling between 47 and 50 mph struck a pedestrian outside a crosswalk, then swerved into oncoming traffic, colliding with the self-driving car.

Teicher emphasized, “The safety of our riders and other road users is our top priority. We are coordinating with first responders and are grateful for their quick response.”