A Waymo self-driving car obstructed the road during a serious incident involving a five-alarm fire, which tragically resulted in the deaths of three individuals in Texas. Body camera footage revealed a Dallas officer struggling to move the vehicle as paramedics rushed to assist.
The incident unfolded Thursday when a car moved across a street in Dallas amid the emergency response. Approximately 100 firefighters were addressing a deadly blaze triggered by a gas leak in a Clyde apartment building, as reported by local news.
“Hurry up, let’s go!” exclaimed Deputy Officer Jonathan Banda, who was visibly frustrated, as seen in the shared video footage.
A bystander shouted in disbelief, “Hey, there’s no one here,” upon realizing it was a driverless car.
Banda continued urging the vehicle to move while a customer support agent on the line attempted to assist. “We really need to get this car out of the way. There’s a fire just around the corner,” he insisted.
Eventually, a remote Waymo staff member acknowledged there was a “minor problem,” promising to resolve it soon.
In urgent tones, Banda reiterated, “We’ve got firefighters advancing toward a large fire. This needs to be taken care of immediately!”
Ultimately, the officers gained permission to move the empty car, clearing the way just in time.
Banda reflected, “I knew the sirens were approaching, and I had to ensure a clear path for the firefighters.” He recalled another fire engine arriving, ready to deploy its hoses.
The gas leak explosion had devastating consequences, claiming the lives of Marisol Perez, 38, her 18-month-old son Eric Jr., and civil rights activist Sylvia Collins. Perez’s husband was away on business during the incident.
Witness Oliver Jimenez, who lived nearby, described seeing “a little girl barely escaping the debris.” The explosion occurred shortly after firefighters had arrived on the scene, with around 100 dispatched to combat the fire.
Waymo commented that they have a dedicated team ensuring first responders are trained to handle situations involving their vehicles. “Safety is at the core of our operations, including how our vehicles are designed to interact with emergency services,” the company stated.
They explained that this particular vehicle was engaged in a three-point turn to exit the area. Although the car was yielding for others, officers could approach it as the road remained clear for other vehicles.
Waymo added that they will continue collaborating with Dallas law enforcement to ensure first responders have the necessary tools and training for emergencies like this.
