safety
Waymo turns in teens who were drinking, shooting Orbeez from robotaxi in San Mateo
By Brendan Weber at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC)
· July 7, 2026
· 1 min read
A Waymo led two misbehaving teenagers into the hands of police in San Mateo Monday afternoon, the department said.
The robotaxi company alerted police after noticing the two 15-year-olds drinking and shooting objects from one of its vehicles, police said.
After Waymo stopped the vehicle, of...
Key takeaway The robotaxi company alerted police after noticing the two 15-year-olds drinking and shooting objects from one of its vehicles, police said.
Why this matters in The San Francisco
The incident in San Mateo raises concerns about the safety and responsibility of teenagers using autonomous vehicles in the Bay Area. With companies like Waymo expanding their robotaxi services, it's crucial for local authorities to establish clear guidelines and protocols for handling similar situations. The fact that the teenagers were able to drink and shoot Orbeez from a moving vehicle highlights the need for better monitoring and regulation of autonomous vehicles. San Francisco County residents should be aware of the potential risks and consequences of underage drinking and reckless behavior, especially when combined with the use of advanced technology like robotaxis. As autonomous vehicles become more prevalent in the Bay Area, it's essential for law enforcement and transportation agencies to work together to prevent such incidents and ensure public safety. The role of Waymo in alerting the police and preventing a potentially more dangerous situation is a positive step, but it also underscores the importance of continued collaboration and oversight.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . The San Francisco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The San Francisco stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A Waymo led two misbehaving teenagers into the hands of police in San Mateo Monday afternoon, the department said.
The robotaxi company alerted police after noticing the two 15-year-olds drinking and shooting objects from one of its vehicles, police said.
After Waymo stopped the vehicle, of...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Brendan Weber at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter