Google self-driving car strikes public bus in California
An accident report filed with California’s Department of Motor Vehicles says a self-driving car being tested by Google collided with a public bus on Valentine’s Day.
The report was written by Google, which has been testing two dozen Lexus SUVs outfitted with sensors and cameras near the tech firm’s Silicon Valley headquarters. It was posted Monday on the DMV website.
Google wrote that its car was trying to get around some sandbags on a city street when its left front struck the right side of the bus. The car was rolling at 2 mph, the bus at 15 mph.
No one was injured.
Google said its car’s safety driver thought the bus would yield.
The report does not address fault. A DMV spokeswoman said the agency hoped to speak with Google Monday about what went wrong.
A Google spokesman did not have immediate comment. (KPCC)
Navy SEAL receives Medal of Honor for hostage rescue
Navy SEAL Edward Byers received the Medal of Honor on Monday morning for his role in rescuing an American civilian being held hostage by Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.
President Barack Obama awarded Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Byers the nation’s highest medal for valor in combat, while pointing out that only five other SEALs had received the honor ever before.
“Ed is defined by a deep sense of humility, he doesn’t seek the spotlight, in fact he shuns it. He’s the consummate quiet professional,” Obama said during the White House ceremony. “Today’s ceremony is truly unique — a rare opportunity for the American people to get a glimpse of a special breed of warrior that so often serves in the shadows.”
The White House had previously highlighted Byers’ “courageous actions” and “selfless service” during the December 2012 operation. Obama described the encounter as involving “hand-to-hand combat” with multiple adversaries.
Byers tackled another person, straddled him and pinned him down. When he adjusted his night vision goggles, he found that was on top of another guard.
The American hostage later described the scene. The dark room suddenly filled with men and exploding gunfire. Narrow beams of light shot in every direction. Voices called out his name. Joseph answered, “I’m right here.”
Hearing English, Byers leaped across the room and threw himself onto the hostage, using his body to shield him from bullets. When another enemy fighter appeared, Byers pinned the fighter to the wall and held him until his teammates took action. It was over almost as soon as it began. In just minutes, by going after those guards, Byers saved the lives of several teammates and Joseph. (CNN)
Corrections officer gets 6 months for N.Y. prison break
A New York state corrections officer will spend six months in jail for providing tools to a pair of convicted murderers who escaped from a northern New York prison last year.
Gene Palmer, 57, pleaded guilty Monday at the Clinton County Court to two counts of promoting prison contraband — one a felony, the other a misdemeanor — and one count of official misconduct. County Judge Kevin Ryan sentenced him to six months in prison and ordered him to pay $5,375 in fines and surcharges.
Palmer’s plea deal settles charges that he provided needle-nosed pliers, a screwdriver, paint supplies and frozen hamburger meat to David Sweat and Richard Matt, who led authorities on a three-week, headline-grabbing manhunt in June after executing an elaborate escape from the maximum-security Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, N.Y. (USA Today)
