San Francisco Police Department investigating Zoox collision with a parked car

The San Francisco Police Department is currently examining an incident involving a Zoox autonomous vehicle that collided with a parked Cadillac. This incident occurred around 2 p.m. on January 17, near the intersection of 15th and Mission Streets, as reported by TechCrunch. According to initial reports, the crash happened when Jamel Durden, a street ambassador, opened the driver’s-side door of his 1977 Cadillac Coupe DeVille while the Zoox robotaxi was traveling on 15th Street. The impact resulted in injuries to Durden’s hand and damage to the Zoox vehicle’s glass doors. At the time of the accident, the Zoox vehicle was carrying a passenger who, as confirmed by the company, was an employee of Zoox and sustained no injuries. The SFPD has not released an incident report, citing the ongoing investigation, although Zoox has filed its own report regarding the event. In a statement issued on January 20, Zoox emphasized its commitment to cooperating with local authorities to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the incident. Additionally, the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which oversees autonomous vehicle operations in the state, is engaging with Zoox concerning the crash. Zoox has submitted a crash report in accordance with California regulations, although it has not yet been made public. Zoox is in the early phases of launching its robotaxi service in San Francisco and has recently initiated a program offering free rides to select members of the public. Despite these advancements, the company has faced hurdles, including a recall initiated last December to address issues with vehicles obstructing crosswalks. The incident reportedly unfolded when Durden unexpectedly opened his car door into the path of the oncoming robotaxi, which attempted to avoid the collision but was unable to do so. Zoox stated that they offered medical assistance to Durden, who declined treatment until the vehicle was towed, according to MissionLocal. "Safety and transparency are foundational to Zoox, and we are cooperating with local authorities to provide an accurate account of the incident,” the company reiterated in their statement.