NHTSA opens preliminary investigation after Waymo robotaxi strikes child near Santa Monica elementary school
[REGULATORY ACTION]Jan 29, 2026 · Waymo · Waymo Driver (6th gen) · Sacramento, California, USA
Failure Mode
REGULATORY ACTION
Event Date
Jan 29, 2026
Primary Entity
Waymo
Robotic Platform
Waymo Driver (6th gen)
Jurisdiction / Location
Sacramento, California, USA
Audit Standard
Physical State Verified
Incident Abstract & Audit Findings
Original claim shown above is no longer asserted. See the retraction notice for context.
System & Fleet Architecture
Operating Manufacturer
Hardware Platform
Operational Sectors
Primary Sources & Evidentiary Filings
- Inspect Filing
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-opens-probe-after-waymo-self-driving-vehicle-strikes-child-near-school-2026-01-29/
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-opens-probe-after-waymo-self-driving-vehicle-strikes-child-near-school-2026-01-29/
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Details
Incident Context & FAQ
What happened in NHTSA opens preliminary investigation after Waymo robotaxi strikes child near Santa Monica elementary school?
NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation (PE26001) after a Waymo autonomous vehicle struck a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California on January 23, 2026. The child ran across the street from behind a double-parked SUV during school drop-off hours and was struck by the Waymo AV, sustaining minor injuries. NTSB is also investigating. Waymo says the vehicle detected the child and braked from 17 mph to under 6 mph before contact. This incident was later retracted; see the retraction banner at the top of the page for the correction.
When did this incident occur?
The incident is recorded as occurring on January 29, 2026 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.
What robot was involved in NHTSA opens preliminary investigation after Waymo robotaxi strikes child near Santa Monica elementary school?
Waymo Driver (6th gen) by Waymo is the recorded robot involved in this incident at Sacramento, California, USA.
Has anyone responded to NHTSA opens preliminary investigation after Waymo robotaxi strikes child near Santa Monica elementary school?
No responses to this incident are recorded on the DEPLOY registry. Operators, manufacturers, or affected parties can submit responses to the editorial team; absence is not a guarantee no response was issued.
What is the current status of NHTSA opens preliminary investigation after Waymo robotaxi strikes child near Santa Monica elementary school?
This incident is retracted on the DEPLOY registry. The page remains so the correction reaches readers, but the incident is suppressed from aggregate counts (company / model / location) so it no longer counts against anyone.