It’s not a good year to be a Google Street View driver — or rather, in this case, to be anywhere in the vicinity of one. In Bogor, Indonesia, one ill-fated Google Street View car got itself into a bit of trouble when the driver’s failed attempt at a hit-and-run involved him ramming into two large public busses and a truck. Because third crash is a charm.
Initially, the driver had only hit the one bus, but when he (understandably) appeared to “panic”, he less excusably decided to drive away. Then, in a frantic attempt at an escape, the driver took down another bus as well as a truck. After which he, presumably, decided maybe it’s time to stop. It’s still not clear whether anyone was harmed, but Google has at least confirmed that this incident did, in fact take place. Further backing up the claims, pictures have been posted to an Indonesian forum by a supposed eyewitness.
In a statement to news agency AFP, Vishnu Mahmud, head of communications for Google in Indonesia said:
We take incidents like this very seriously. We’re working closely with local authorities to address the situation.
In other words: they said pretty much nothing.
Google’s most recent bit of Street View car trouble also happened overseas when Thai villagers attempted to arrest the driver under suspicion of being a spy for builders of unwanted dams. Although, that driver (having committed no crime) was quickly released after swearing an oath on Buddha’s statue. At least the Thai villagers’ suspicion was in the right place — they just had the wrong driver. [BBC]