One person was hospitalized and four others were treated at the scene following a two-car collision involving a Waymo autonomous vehicle in the Pico-Union neighborhood of Los Angeles on Sunday, July 26, 2026. Authorities and emergency responders managed the scene near Venice Boulevard.
A Sunday morning crash in the Pico-Union neighborhood of Los Angeles drew a swift response from emergency services after a collision involved an autonomous Waymo vehicle and another passenger car. Several people were critically injured after a vehicle and a Waymo were involved in a crash early Sunday, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Emergency Response in the 1000 Block of Venice Boulevard
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers received the call about the crash shortly before 6 a.m. near the 1000 block of West Venice Boulevard. The collision was officially reported at 5:44 a.m. in the 1000 block of Venice Boulevard, two blocks north of the 10 Freeway, an LAPD spokesperson said. Accounts from municipal agencies varied slightly on the immediate patient count during the chaotic early minutes at the scene. An LAPD spokesperson stated that one person was transported to a medical center in unknown condition, and four others who complained of pain were treated at the scene. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Fire Department noted that several people were critically injured and dispatched two ambulances to transport victims to local hospitals. A two-car crash involving a Waymo in L.A.’s Pico-Union neighborhood sent two people to the hospital early Sunday morning, authorities and a Waymo spokesperson confirm.
The scene was clear about an hour later at 7 a.m. and no streets were closed. Footage captured by bystanders and shared via the Citizen App shows the aftermath of the collision, with debris strung across the roadway. A wheelchair was also seen in the middle of the road. Video evidence also indicated that it appeared that a baby was in one of the vehicles at the time of the crash; however, Citizen video indicated the baby was not injured, as it was seen lying in a stroller. Luis Zuñiga contributed to this report.
Details Emerge on the Colliding Vehicles and Pedestrian Involvement
As municipal investigators worked to piece together the sequence of events, a Waymo spokesperson provided more details on the crash, stating that one of the parties involved was a pedestrian with a cart. A Waymo vehicle was traveling eastbound at approximately 27 miles per hour on Venice Boulevard between South Union Avenue and Toberman Street when it was hit by a blue sedan,
the spokesperson said. “The blue sedan was traveling in the opposite direction at approximately 47 to 50 miles per hour [and] made contact with a pedestrian with a cart outside of a crosswalk at approximately 42 miles per hour before swerving into the opposite lane and striking the Waymo vehicle.”
Police authorities initially investigated whether a pedestrian was among the victims. Whether a pedestrian was among the victims was not immediately confirmed by initial police statements, even as digital video feeds and subsequent reporting detailed the involvement of a pedestrian with a cart.
Corporate Response and Ongoing Investigation
Waymo is coordinating with first responders in the investigation.
The safety of our riders and other road users is our top priority,
a Waymo spokesperson said in a statement provided to ABC7.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that the investigation is ongoing.
Keep reading