A pre-dawn collision between a Waymo robotaxi and a sedan on Venice Boulevard in Pico‑Union turned a quiet Sunday morning into a traffic mess, leaving people hurt and sending at least one person to the hospital as crews rushed in to clear the roadway.
The crash unfolded on Venice Boulevard between South Union Avenue and Toberman Street. According to KTLA, Waymo said its vehicle was moving at about 27 mph when a blue sedan headed the other way struck a pedestrian and then hit the robotaxi. The company estimated the sedan’s speed at roughly 47 to 50 mph, and said the pedestrian was hit outside a crosswalk at about 42 mph. Citizen video posted to the Citizen app showed a wheelchair and debris scattered across the street. KTLA also reported that a baby seen in one of the vehicles was not injured and that Waymo is working with first responders at the scene.
Local officials told ABC7 Los Angeles the wreck was reported shortly before 5:45 a.m. in the 1000 block of Venice Boulevard, about two blocks north of the 10 Freeway. At least one person was transported to a medical center, while others who reported pain were treated on site as investigators began sorting out what happened.
Even the injury tally is still under review. KTLA reported that two people were taken to hospitals, while ABC7 Los Angeles cited a smaller number. In the meantime, police and fire crews shut down parts of Venice Boulevard, collecting evidence and hauling away damaged vehicles so traffic could start moving again.
Waymo’s Recent String Of High‑Profile Moments
This latest crash lands in the middle of a rocky stretch of publicity for Waymo in Southern California. The company has already drawn headlines after teens were photographed hanging out of a moving robotaxi and several of its vehicles were vandalized or torched during protests, as reported by the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post. National coverage has also noted that Waymo paused some freeway routes and initiated a voluntary software recall focused on how its system responds to flooded, higher‑speed lanes.
Investigation And Reporting
If the Waymo vehicle’s automated driving system was active during the Venice Boulevard crash, federal rules require the company to notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and submit detailed information under NHTSA’s Standing General Order on crash reporting. That order allows regulators to pull in data on serious incidents and, when warranted, open follow‑up investigations or defect probes.
Local traffic investigators will keep piecing together witness statements, video footage and vehicle data to determine how the collision unfolded and where fault lies. City officials have not assigned blame, and Waymo has said it is cooperating with first responders. This story will be updated as authorities release more information and official reports become available.
