NHTSA Says More Than 3,000 Waymo AVs Under Investigation As Driverless Vehicles Hits Child Near An Elementary School

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says more than 3,000 Alphabet Inc.-backed (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG) Waymo vehicles are under investigation following an incident where a Waymo autonomous vehicle struck a child near an elementary school.

3,067 Waymos Under Investigation

The investigation was opened by the agency on January 28, where it estimates over 3,067 Waymo AVs, fitted with the company's 5th-generation autonomous suite, will be examined following a vehicle that struck a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California, on January 23, 2026.

Waymo didn't immediately respond to Benzinga's request for comment.

The child was struck after running across the road "from behind a double parked SUV towards the school," the NHTSA report said. The child sustained minor injuries, the report said, adding that no onboard safety operator was present in the AV.

Waymo's Earlier Los Angeles Crash

The investigation comes as surveillance footage, as well as eyewitness accounts, reported that a Waymo "Ojai" Robotaxi, built in collaboration with Chinese automaker Zeekr, crashed with multiple parked vehicles in Los Angeles. The vehicle had an onboard safety operator present during the crash.

The incidents could raise questions about Waymo's safety record as it eyes a $16 billion funding round at a valuation of over $100 billion. Amid the incidents, investor Gary Black has raised concerns about the broader impact of safety investigations into AVs and Robotaxis as companies like Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) continue to fine-tune autonomous tech and self-driving cabs.

Alphabet scores well on the Momentum and Quality metrics, but offers poor Value. It also has a favorable price trend in the Short, Medium, and Long term. 

Price Action: GOOGL declined 0.20% to $337.80 during after-hours trading on Friday.

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