• Self-driving car runs over beloved cat in San Francisco amid vehicle safety investigations
• Local community expresses grief and anger, calls for improved safety systems to prevent similar accidents

A self-driving car struck and killed a beloved cat at a local grocery store in San Francisco, U.S., amid several similar incidents and ongoing investigations into the safety of such vehicles

The cat, known as "KitKat," a familiar face at the Mission District store, was hit while the car was stopped near the shop

An employee tried to rush the 9-year-old cat to a veterinary hospital, but it did not survive. According to a report filed with the city, there was no attempt by the car to avoid the animal

Previously a stray, KitKat had been roaming around the store for about six years to help with a rodent problem and quickly became beloved by customers and neighboring businesses, sometimes earning the nickname Mayor of 16th Street

The local community reacted strongly to the incident, with some residents setting up a memorial outside the store to express their grief and anger, and others posting protest signs against self-driving cars

Comments on social media highlighted the need for improved safety systems in autonomous vehicles to prevent harm to animals

Self-driving cars in San Francisco have been involved in multiple prior incidents and issues, including violations of traffic laws around school buses, complaints about honking at inappropriate hours, and theft of sports equipment