UPDATED with video Waymo Self-Driving Chrysler Pacifica Involved In Crash In Arizona
Pacifica Was In Self-Driving Mode When Accident Happened...
A Waymo autonomous Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was involved in an accident this afternoon in Chandler, Arizona. The vehicle was in autonomous driving mode when the accident occured. There was a Waymo driver behind the wheel of the Pacifica Hybrid when the accident occured.
The Chandler Police Department said a silver Honda sedan traveling eastbound on Chandler Boulevard had to swerve to avoid striking a vehicle traveling northbound on Los Feliz Drive. As the Honda swerved, it continued eastbound into the westbound lanes of Chandler Boulevard and hit the Waymo Pacifica van. Police say the van was traveling at slow speed when the accident occured.
The Waymo driver sustained minor injuries in the accident. Both vehicles were towed away from the scene.
This is the first accident involving the Waymo autonomous Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Earlier this year, another autonomous vehicle owned by Waymo’s competitor Uber was involved in a fatal accident when its vehicle hit and killed a pedestrian walking her bike across the road in Tempe, Arizona.
Chandler Police, are saying the Waymo Chrysler Pacifica is not at fault in the accident this afternoon.
ABC 15 Arizona news captured footage of the aftermath of the accident with their helicopter. You can see that footage below.
The accident is still under investigation.
UPDATE: Waymo has released the video taken by the Pacifica at the time of the crash. – Jared Balfour
