Three Momentum semi-autonomous trucks crashed. Our driver Ashley Williams lost her life. Children and families were badly hurt. These were our trucks, and that makes it our responsibility.
“These were our trucks, and that makes it our responsibility. When we know, you will know.”
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.
Nothing here is called confirmed until independent experts verify it.
Off the road nationwide.
Route by route, after inspection and clearance.
Mandiant verifying, with the NTSB, NHTSA, and FBI.
Priority on every available truck.
A Momentum driver who followed every safety protocol and did everything right. She will always be part of our family.
Momentum HQ, Etna, Ohio. Livestreamed for every driver and employee.
Observed at all Momentum locations during the service.
Momentum gave first and matches every employee gift.
Times are Eastern. Updated as we act.
You will not have to chase us. You will never get a bill.
Media: Casey Reicin, CMO · 1-800-555-0177
No autonomous Momentum truck is operating anywhere. Human-driven trucks return only after each passes inspection and Globex clearance.
Early findings point to a software malfunction. We will not call that final until Mandiant verifies it, including whether there was any outside interference.
Not until all seven requirements above are met. Then slowly, in a small pilot, with a trained driver in every truck.
Momentum, directly. No family will receive a bill or wait for reimbursement.
Join the memorial on Friday, October 30 at 2:00 PM ET, in Etna or by livestream, or give to the Ashley Williams Memorial Fund.