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A familiar face on 16th Street is gone. KitKat, the free-roaming bodega cat who greeted shoppers outside Randa’s Market for years, was fatally injured after an encounter with a Waymo robotaxi. The loss has stirred grief across the neighborhood and reignited debate about the safety of self-driving cars in city streets.
How the accident unfolded near Randa’s Market
Store owner Mike Zeidan described a sudden, tragic sequence that left the community stunned. Employees say the cat was on the curb as the autonomous vehicle prepared to pull away. Staff rushed KitKat to an emergency clinic, but veterinarians were unable to save him.
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Reported details and eyewitness accounts
- A local 311 complaint alleged the Waymo did not brake, swerve, or otherwise avoid the animal.
- Bystanders say people on the sidewalk tried to pull KitKat from beneath the vehicle.
- The incident took place late at night, when visibility can be limited.
Waymo’s statement and next steps
Waymo publicly acknowledged the collision. The company reported its vehicle had stopped to pick up passengers and then began moving when a cat suddenly ran under it. Waymo offered condolences and pledged a charitable gesture.
- They expressed sympathy to the owner and neighborhood.
- They said they will make a donation to a local animal rights organization in KitKat’s honor.
- Waymo said it reviewed the event to determine what happened.
Neighbor reactions and digital memorials
Tributes poured in almost immediately. Social feeds and the market’s Instagram filled with memories and photos of KitKat lounging by the door. Many neighbors described their daily route as incomplete without a visit from the cat.
- One commenter called KitKat the best stop on their morning walk.
- Others posted short remembrances and photos showing the cat on the stoop.
- Candles and flowers were placed outside the store within a day.
Why this has reignited safety concerns about autonomous vehicles
Residents used the incident to question whether self-driving cars can reliably detect small animals at night. Critics point out that this is not an isolated complaint involving robotaxis and wildlife or pets.
- Some urged stricter oversight of testing in dense urban areas.
- Others asked for improved object detection tuned for low-light conditions.
- Local officials and advocates say clearer rules are needed before expanding services.
KitKat’s history and role in the neighborhood
Originally a stray, KitKat found a home at Randa’s Market after Zeidan took him in following a neighbor’s care. He began as a practical deterrent for rodents and evolved into a beloved mascot.
- He regularly appeared in the shop’s social posts and on Yelp.
- Customers and regulars came to expect his gentle presence at the doorway.
- Zeidan remembered him as friendly and unafraid of larger animals.
Voices from the block: memories and mourning
Local businesses near the market, including the Roxie Theater, expressed sorrow. People walking home stopped to leave notes and light candles. One neighbor said 16th Street feels like it will be different without KitKat.
- Flowers and handwritten messages collected at the storefront.
- Neighbors traded stories of small rituals centered on the cat.
- Some posts compared KitKat to other online animal figures who became symbols after untimely deaths.
