A Dallas County deputy constable jumped behind the wheel of a stopped empty Waymo autonomous vehicle last week to clear a path for incoming fire trucks responding to a deadly apartment explosion in Oak Cliff.
The incident occurred on May 28 shortly after a powerful natural gas explosion and five-alarm fire destroyed much of The Clyde apartment complex in the 1200 block of South Polk Street. Dallas County Precinct 5 Deputy Constable Jonathan Banda encountered the Waymo vehicle stopped and blocking the roadway as emergency crews rushed to the scene. Body camera footage released Thursday shows Banda urging the vehicle to move before contacting support and then manually driving it aside after it was unlocked remotely.
The blast killed three people and injured at least five others, with additional residents initially reported missing. Over 115 firefighters battled the blaze, which left many families displaced. Dallas Fire-Rescue and other agencies responded to the scene in the heart of Oak Cliff.
Banda and fellow Deputy Constable Vincent DeLuna were among the first officers on scene. The quick actions helped ensure fire trucks with needed hoses could access the burning building. No injuries were reported from the Waymo incident itself.
The explosion is under investigation, with authorities pointing to a natural gas leak. Atmos Energy has been involved in the response. The event has renewed questions about autonomous vehicle operations during emergencies in Dallas, where Waymo has expanded its driverless fleet.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
