A pedestrian was struck by a regular car and then trapped under a Cruise autonomous vehicle in San Francisco on Monday night. Emergency responders and video footage confirmed the incident, which left the victim in critical condition. This accident adds to a series of incidents involving driverless cars in the city, including sudden stops in busy intersections and disruptions to first responders. The pedestrian accident occurred when both the Cruise vehicle and another car were stopped at a red light and advanced when it turned green. The victim entered the traffic lanes and was struck by the regular car before being flung into the path of the driverless car.
The autonomous vehicle braked aggressively but was unable to stop before rolling over the woman and coming to a halt. Firefighters had to free her from underneath the car, and she suffered multiple traumatic injuries. The driver of the regular car fled the scene. The incident highlights concerns surrounding the safety and regulation of autonomous vehicles in San Francisco, leading to a reduction in Cruise’s fleet size while an official investigation takes place. Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Kevin Mullin have expressed serious concerns and called for increased regulation and data collection on driverless cars.
Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt believes that incidents involving driverless cars are being sensationalized and that they will ultimately make roads safer. However, these incidents have prompted calls for stricter regulation from lawmakers. AVs have struggled to address complex real-world situations, endangering the lives of passengers, drivers, pedestrians, and those requiring emergency services. The accident highlights the need for further evaluation and measures to ensure the safe integration of autonomous vehicles into city environments.
