A woman was struck by a car and subsequently trapped underneath a driverless taxi in San Francisco Monday night. The incident occurred at the intersection of Market and Fifth streets at approximately 9:35 p.m. According to video footage provided by Cruise, the car manufacturer, the traffic light had turned green, allowing both the Cruise car and another vehicle, which had been waiting side-by-side, to enter the intersection. The woman was walking across the street when she was hit by the other car and rolled into the path of the driverless taxi. The taxi ran over her, pinning her to the ground with its rear axle and tire.
The driver of the first car involved in the incident fled the scene, and authorities are currently searching for the car and driver. San Francisco firefighters arrived at the scene and used the jaws of life to lift the car off the woman. She was then transported to San Francisco General Hospital with multiple traumatic injuries, according to SFFD Capt. Justin Schorr.
It was observed that once the Cruise car detected something underneath its rear axle, it came to a halt and activated its hazard lights. Firefighters had to obstruct the car’s sensors to alert the Cruise control center. Cruise representatives promptly responded and disabled the car remotely.
