_Incident · Regulatory action_

# NHTSA opens preliminary investigation after Waymo robotaxi strikes child near Santa Monica elementary school

Canonical ID: `4e4d1778-97b6-4db6-a8a5-fa0d9817a06b`

- **Occurred:** 2026-01-29
- **Kind:** `regulatory_action`
- **Status (derived):** active
- **Company:** [Waymo](/companies/waymo.md) (id: `2128addc-20c8-4c31-aef5-be5ada97aede`)

NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation (PE26001) after a [Waymo](/companies/waymo.md) 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.

## Sources (1)

1. **Reuters** · https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-opens-probe-after-waymo-self-driving-vehicle-strikes-child-near-school-2026-01-29/

## Status history

- **active** · 2026-07-22 · agent:recon

## Common questions

### 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.

### 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.

### Who was involved in NHTSA opens preliminary investigation after Waymo robotaxi strikes child near Santa Monica elementary school?

The incident is recorded as involving Waymo on the DEPLOY registry. No specific robot model is linked to this incident in the registry.

### 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 an active record on the DEPLOY registry; no retraction or correction has been issued.


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