Three Momentum semi-autonomous trucks crashed in San Antonio, Pittsburgh, and Columbus. Our driver Ashley Williams was killed. Children on a school bus and drivers on a Columbus freeway were seriously hurt. These were our trucks, and Momentum takes full responsibility.
Nothing is described as confirmed until independent experts verify it.
| Area | State | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Autonomous fleet | Suspended | Off the road nationwide until all seven requirements below are met. |
| Human-driven trucks | Returning | Route by route, after inspection and clearance from Globex. |
| Investigation | Underway | Early findings point to a software malfunction. Mandiant is verifying, with the NTSB, NHTSA, and FBI. |
| Medical shipments | Priority | First on every available truck. |
Every line is answered by a person, 24 hours a day. No family will receive a bill.
| For | What we provide | Line |
|---|---|---|
| Families and people hurt | Medical and funeral costs paid directly. One dedicated contact, day or night. Verified findings before the public. | 1-800-555-0142 |
| Pittsburgh families and school | Counselors at the school. Safe alternative transportation. Help with hospital logistics and meals. | 1-800-555-0143 |
| Columbus crash | Vehicle repairs or replacement, rental cars, and lost wages covered. | 1-800-555-0142 |
| Drivers and employees | Anonymous safety reporting with no retaliation. Grief counseling. Any decision about your job comes from us first. | 1-800-555-0199 |
| Customers and partners | Medical shipments first. A named lead and daily shipment updates. Rerouting costs are on Momentum. | 1-800-555-0160 |
| Media | Casey Reicin, Chief Marketing Officer. | 1-800-555-0177 |
Released October 27.
“These were our trucks, and that makes it our responsibility. When we know, you will know.”
Sam Bennet, Chief Executive Officer
I'm Sam Bennet, CEO of Momentum.
Yesterday, three of our semi-autonomous trucks crashed: in San Antonio, in Pittsburgh, and here in Columbus.
Ashley Williams, one of our drivers, lost her life. She did everything right. Children on a school bus in Pittsburgh were badly hurt, and so were drivers on a Columbus freeway.
To Ashley's family, to those children and their parents, and to everyone hurt: I am so sorry. These were our trucks, and that makes it our responsibility.
I want to give you an update on where things stand.
First, our trucks. If you share the highway with us, know this: every autonomous Momentum truck is off the road today. They will not come back until we have found and fixed the cause, tested every vehicle, and had independent experts confirm they are safe. When they do return, it will be slowly, with a trained driver in every truck.
Second, the investigation. Globex, our technology division, and Mandiant, an independent cybersecurity firm, are investigating all three crashes. Early findings point to a software malfunction, and we are having that independently confirmed. We are cooperating fully with the NTSB, NHTSA, and the FBI. When we know, you will know.
Third, the people affected. We are paying all medical, funeral, and family costs. Every family has a Momentum contact they can call, and counseling is available to the families, the students, and our own employees.
Many businesses and families count on Momentum deliveries every day, including for medicine. Our traditional, human-driven trucks are being safety-checked now so we can keep critical deliveries moving, starting with medical shipments.
To the Momentum team, and especially our drivers: you are not alone in this, and we will get through it together.
Safety is the first thing Momentum stands for, and yesterday we failed it. We will earn your trust back through what we do, and I will keep you updated.
Thank you.
Every step since the crashes, newest first. Times are Eastern.
| When | Action |
|---|---|
| Oct 28, 10:05 AM | Day 2 public update from the CEO |
| Oct 28, 12:00 AM | Incident response page launched |
| Oct 27, 9:21 PM | Memorial service and Ashley Williams Memorial Fund announced |
| Oct 27, 8:23 PM | Anonymous driver safety hotline, with a no-retaliation guarantee |
| Oct 27, 3:57 PM | 30-day recovery budget set aside, including family support |
| Oct 27, 3:48 PM | Truck-by-truck technical clearance protocol from Globex |
| Oct 27, 2:18 PM | CEO video statement |
| Oct 27, 2:14 PM | Medical bills paid directly for Pittsburgh and Columbus families |
| Oct 27, 2:13 PM | Letters to partners, shareholders, Congress, and the Department of Transportation |
| Oct 27, 12:47 PM | Seven restart requirements adopted |
| Oct 27, 11:48 AM | Free counseling for all employees |
| Oct 27, morning | Mandiant hired; all vehicle data and records preserved; board briefed |
| Oct 27, 1:15 AM | Public apology from the CEO |
| Oct 26, 9:19 PM | Personal letters to every affected family |
| Oct 26, evening | Autonomous fleet grounded nationwide |
A Momentum driver who followed every safety protocol and did everything right. Momentum made the first gift to the Ashley Williams Memorial Fund for her family and matches every employee donation.