[01-19-2025] San Francisco County, CA – One Person, Dog Killed In Speeding-Related Multi-Vehicle Collision Involving Waymo Robotaxi

A speeding-related multi-vehicle collision in San Francisco on Sunday evening, January 19, 2025, resulted in the deaths of one person and a dog. Several vehicles, including a Waymo robotaxi, were involved.

According to the San Francisco Police Department, officers responded to the intersection of Sixth and Harrison Streets at approximately 6:08 p.m. They found six vehicles that had been struck by another vehicle.

Multiple victims were inside the vehicles, with several transported to a hospital. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, and their dog, who was in the same vehicle, was also killed.

Authorities detained the suspected driver, identified as 66-year-old J.L. Zheng, while he was being treated for injuries at the hospital. Zheng was booked in absentia on felony vehicular manslaughter charges, along with allegations of speeding and misdemeanor vandalism.

A pickup truck crashed into the sidewalk while a Tesla sedan, suspected to have been driven by Zheng at high speed, collided with a Lexus sedan. An unoccupied Waymo robotaxi reportedly operating autonomously sustained severe damage after being struck by a vehicle that was struck by the Tesla. A white sedan appeared to have crashed directly into the Waymo, while at least two other vehicles with damages were at a standstill.

The killed person appeared to come from the white sedan with its side torn off. No details regarding the total number of people involved have been released yet.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating whether a separate hit-and-run crash on Interstate 280 prior to the collision is connected to the incident. Authorities are still determining whether drugs or alcohol were contributing factors.

The crash site was closed for investigation, with motorists advised to seek alternative routes.