Waymo Robotaxi Kills Beloved San Francisco Cat

San Francisco is mourning KitKat, a 9-year-old tabby known as the “Mayor of 16th Street” who lived at Randa’s Market and greeted customers for years. On Oct. 27 at about 11:30–11:40 p.m., a Waymo robotaxi struck and killed KitKat outside the store after stopping to pick up passengers; witnesses and a 311 complaint say the car did not attempt to avoid the cat, while Waymo said the cat darted under the vehicle as it pulled away. Store owner Mike Zeidan and others rushed KitKat to an animal hospital but the cat later died, and Zeidan said the store will not be the same without him. Neighbors have built a growing memorial of candles, flowers, photos and Kit Kat candy bars, and social posts and TikToks have driven widespread grief. The death has intensified local unease about driverless cars operating in urban neighborhoods. Waymo expressed sympathy to the owner and community and said it will donate to a local animal-rights group.