Cruise robotaxi strikes pedestrian in San Francisco

A Cruise robotaxi ran over a pedestrian who became trapped underneath the vehicle in San Francisco on Monday night, according to emergency responders.

The woman suffered "multiple traumatic injuries," said Justin Schorr, a spokesperson for the San Francisco Fire Department.

She was transported to San Francisco General Hospital, he said. Her condition is unknown Tuesday, according to the San Francisco Police Department.

The collision occurred at approximately, 9:30 p.m. local time at the intersection of 5th and Market Streets. The Cruise vehicle operated under autonomous mode and did not contain a human occupant, according to police spokesperson Eve Laokwansathitaya.

She said a human-driven vehicle “may have been initially involved,” in the collision,” though no other vehicle or its driver were present when officers arrived at the scene.

The collision occurred at about 9:30 p.m. local time at the intersection of Fifth Street and Market Street.

In a social media post, Cruise said a human-driven vehicle in an adjacent lane first struck the woman. The company described that impact as "severe" and said it then launched the pedestrian "directly in front of the AV."

Cruise employees responded to the scene, Schorr said. They worked with San Francisco Police Department officials who will investigate the collision, he said.

Cruise shared a video of the crash with the San Francisco Chronicle, which reported the woman rolled off the side of the first car and into the path of the robotaxi. The news outlet did not say how much time elapsed between the first and second collision.

The Cruise vehicle pinned her to the ground and stopped with its rear axle and tire over one of her legs, according to the Chronicle.

Cruise did not respond to a request for further comment Tuesday.