Beloved SF cat’s death fuels Waymo criticism

The death of Kit Kat, a beloved neighborhood bodega cat in San Francisco’s Mission District, after being struck by a Waymo robotaxi on October 27, 2025, has sparked significant local outcry and criticism of autonomous vehicle operations. Residents created a shrine to honor Kit Kat, and the area has seen competing signs—some condemning Waymo, others highlighting the many fatalities caused by human drivers. The incident has intensified debates about accountability and safety in the deployment of driverless cars. Jackie Fielder, a member of San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors representing the Mission District, is advocating for a city resolution that would empower local voters to decide whether driverless cars should be permitted in their neighborhoods. Fielder emphasized the lack of direct accountability with autonomous vehicles, contrasting it with human drivers who can be held responsible and confronted after incidents. Waymo responded by describing the event as the cat unexpectedly darting under the vehicle and expressed condolences to the cat’s owner and the community. The