Latest Cruise Incident: Pedestrian Struck by Car and Run Over by Robotaxi Caught on Video
On October 2, 2023, a woman was left stuck underneath a Cruise robotaxi after being hit by a human-driven vehicle in San Francisco. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of autonomous vehicles and their ability to navigate complex urban environments.
Video Evidence Captured by Cruise
A video captured by Cruise’s onboard cameras shows a robotaxi braking aggressively to minimize impact after a pedestrian was struck by a human-driven car. However, despite the efforts of the robotaxi, the pedestrian was still run over and became stuck under the vehicle.
Police Statement on Incident
According to a statement released by the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), officers responded to the scene at approximately 9:31 pm on October 2. The police report states that an autonomous vehicle struck an adult pedestrian, who was subsequently transported to the hospital for medical treatment. The SFPD Traffic Collision Investigations Unit is leading the investigation into the incident.
Cruise’s Account of the Incident
In a social media post, Cruise provided its account of the incident, stating that a human-driven vehicle struck a pedestrian while traveling in the lane immediately to the left of a Cruise AV. The initial impact was severe and launched the pedestrian directly in front of the AV. The AV then braked aggressively to minimize the impact.
Investigation Ongoing
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with the SFPD working closely with Cruise to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. While Cruise’s account suggests that it may not have been at fault for the initial impact, an investigation will help to determine if the AV could have avoided the pedestrian altogether.
Background on Autonomous Vehicle Regulations
The incident comes at a critical time for Cruise, which has been expanding its robotaxi operations in San Francisco. In August, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved Cruise’s request to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and expand its fleet. However, just days later, Cruise was involved in a crash with an emergency response vehicle, prompting the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to request that it reduce its fleet by 50% until an investigation could be completed.
Industry Implications
The incident highlights the challenges facing autonomous vehicle manufacturers as they strive to develop and deploy safe and reliable technology. While Cruise has been at the forefront of robotaxi development, the company still faces significant regulatory hurdles and public perception issues.
Expert Analysis
As a leading expert in transportation technology, TechCrunch’s own Kirsten Korosec provides insight into the implications of this incident for the industry as a whole:
"This incident serves as a reminder that autonomous vehicles are not yet perfect. While they have made significant progress in recent years, there is still much work to be done to ensure their safety and reliability on public roads."
Stay Informed
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Sources:
- San Francisco Police Department
- Cruise
- California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
- California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
- TechCrunch’s Transportation Newsletter
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- "CES 2025: Self-Driving Cars Were Everywhere, Plus Other Transportation Tech Trends" by Kirsten Korosec and Rebecca Bellan
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