In the bustling streets of San Francisco, where tech meets tragedy, a beloved neighborhood cat named KitKat became the unexpected victim of a self-driving Waymo vehicle - and the internet is collectively losing its mind.

The “mayor of 16th Street” met his untimely end near Randa’s Market, a local convenience store where he was more famous than most influencers. KitKat wasn’t just any cat; he was a community icon with his own quasi-celebrity status, regularly featured on the store’s Instagram.

A Community in Mourning

The incident sparked an online memorial that would make some human celebrities jealous. TikTok users flooded the platform with tribute videos, one of which garnered over 500,000 likes. Fans created shrines adorned with flowers, photos, and - in a deliciously ironic twist - KitKat chocolate bars.

Tech Giant’s Tepid Response

Waymo’s response was about as warm as their autonomous vehicles. They acknowledged the incident with a corporate-speak statement, promising to donate to an animal rights organization. Translation: “We’re sorry, but not that sorry”.

The Larger Question

Beyond the tragic loss of a furry community leader, this incident raises uncomfortable questions about the reliability of self-driving technology. If a robotaxi can’t avoid a cat, what else might it miss?

Rest in peace, KitKat. You were too pure for this tech-driven world.