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Video Shows Waymo Robotaxi Briefly Blocking Ambulance During Austin Mass Shooting Response

The episode renews scrutiny of Austin’s driverless rides during an FBI review of a possible terrorism link.

Overview

  • Witness video from West Sixth and Nueces shows a driverless Waymo stopped in the roadway as an ambulance waited, then reversed to reroute.
  • Matthew Turnage, who ordered the ride via Uber, said the car became stuck and blocked emergency vehicles for a couple of minutes.
  • An officer used the robotaxi’s speaker system to communicate with the company and directed the vehicle into a nearby garage, according to EMS officials cited by Axios.
  • Austin officials said medics reached Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden within 57 seconds of the 1:59 a.m. call despite the temporary obstruction.
  • Two people were killed and 14 wounded in the shooting; the suspect, 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, was killed by police, and the FBI says indicators suggest a possible terrorism nexus.