Products Liability Law Daily Wrap Up, NHTSA NEWS—ODI INVESTIGATION—NHTSA opens investigation after Waymo vehicle strikes child near school, (Jan 29, 2026)

By WK Editorial Staff

The child sustained minor injuries.

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has opened a preliminary evaluation into an incident involving a Waymo autonomous vehicle that struck a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California. The vehicle was operating with Waymo’s 5th Generation Automated Driving System (ADS). No safety operator was present in the vehicle (NHTSA ODI Investigation, No. PE26001 (Jan. 28, 2026)).

Waymo LLC reported that the incident occurred on January 23, 2026, within two blocks of an elementary school during normal school drop-off hours. The child ran into the street from behind a double-parked sport utility vehicle toward the school and was struck by the Waymo automated vehicle. The area included other children, a crossing guard, and several double-parked vehicles at the time of the incident. Waymo reported that the child sustained minor injuries.

ODI said the preliminary evaluation will examine whether the autonomous vehicle exercised appropriate caution given its proximity to an elementary school and the presence of young pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. The investigation is also expected to review the ADS’s intended behavior in school zones, including adherence to posted speed limits, and Waymo’s response following the impact.

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