*A Waymo autonomous vehicle found itself unexpectedly close to a high-risk police operation in downtown Los Angeles early Sunday morning.
According to NBC News, video recorded by bystanders captured the robotaxi turning left and gliding just feet from a white truck that officers had pulled over after a pursuit. At that moment, the suspect lay face down on the pavement with officers’ guns drawn. Officers immediately shouted commands at the approaching car. “Go to your left! Go to your left!” one officer yelled, followed by “Go through.”
The Waymo responded by slowing momentarily, activating its right-turn signal, then proceeding through the intersection as directed. Watch the wild incident in the clip above.
The incident occurred around 3:40 a.m. at the intersection of Broadway and First Street. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the vehicle’s presence did not disrupt standard police procedures for such stops, including the temporary closure of the street afterward. It remains unclear if a formal investigation will follow this event.
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According to Waymo, the encounter was about 15 seconds. “Safety is our highest priority at Waymo, both for people who choose to ride with us and with whom we share the streets,” a company spokesperson said. “When we encounter unusual events like this one, we learn from them as we continue improving road safety and operating in dynamic cities.”
Per NBC News, the LAPD’s Traffic Coordination Division maintains ongoing communication with Waymo and helps shape protocols for driverless vehicles.
Waymo currently provides rides in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Phoenix. The company recently announced plans to expand its freeway operations and to grow its service into Miami, Orlando, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Detroit.
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