>>> TONIGHT, THE DEADLY STORMS, FLASH FLOODS AND TORNADOES LEAVING A PATH OF DESTRUCTION IN THE NORTHEAST. A CONFIRMED TORNADO DAMAGING HOMES TODAY IN MASSACHUSETTS. MAJOR FLOODING ON THE ROADS NEAR BOSTON, VEHICLES STRANDED. IN MARYLAND, VIDEO OF POWER LINES TOPPLING UNDER CARS, TRAPPING DOZENS OF PEOPLE FOR HOURS. AT LEAST TWO DEATHS BLAMED ON THE STORMS. A TEAM HIT BAY FALLING TREE IN ALABAMA AND A MAN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. OUR TEAM IN THE STORM ZONE. >>> ALSO, THE MASSIVE STRIKE IN LOS ANGELES. CITY WORKERS WALKING OFF THE JOBS. WHAT THEY'RE DEMANDING, AND THE MAJOR IMPACT ON CITY SERVICES. >>> NEW VIDEO OF THAT VIOLENT BRAWL ON AN ALABAMA RIVERFRONT. WHAT IT REVEALS AND THE CHARGES POLICE ANNOUNCED TODAY. >>> THE NEW YORK CITY BEACH SHUT DOWN AFTER A RARE SHARK ATTACK. A 65-YEAR-OLD WOMAN CRITICALLY INJURED. HER CONDITION TONIGHT. >>> THE POPULAR WEIGHT LOSS DRUG WEGOVY COULD HAVE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR YOUR HEART. WHAT A NEW STUDY HAS FOUND. OUR NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION INTO SELF-DRIVING CARS. HOW MANY ARE INVOLVED IN CRASHES. WHAT HAPPENED WHEN WE TOOK A RIDE IN ONE. >>> AND THE LARGEST MEGA MILLIONS JACKPOT IN HISTORY, NEARLY $1.6 BILLION UP FOR GRABS, JUST HOURS FROM NOW. >> Announcer: THIS IS "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS" WITH LESTER HOLT. >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME. WE START WHERE WE LEFT OFF LAST NIGHT, THAT VIOLENT BUT SLOW-MOVING STORM THAT WAS WORKING ITS WAY UP THE EAST COAST WHEN WE CAME ON THE AIR, PACKING NEAR HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS, TOPPLING TREES AND POWER LINES. TODAY THAT DESTRUCTIVE WEATHER SYSTEM REACHES INTO NEW ENGLAND, BRINGING THUNDERSTORMS, FLOODING RAINS, AND AT LEAST ONE CONFIRMED TORNADO. IN ALL, 600 STORMS REPORTED ACROSS THE NATION YESTERDAY, MAKING IT THE SECOND MOST ACTIVE STORM DAY OF 2023. CLAIMING LIVES IN ALABAMA AND SOUTH CAROLINA. FIERCE WIND GUSTS IN MARYLAND LEFT 33 PEOPLE TRAPPED IN CARS FOR HOURS, PINNED IN THEIR VEHICLES BY TOPPLED POWER LINES. TODAY, AIRLINES PLAYING CATCH-UP AFTER 9,000 FLIGHT DELAYS AND 1800 CANCELLATIONS. MEANTIME, TONIGHT PARTS OF MASSACHUSETTS, WHICH SAW AS MUCH AS 5 INCHES OF RAIN IN UNDER SIX HOURS REMAIN UNDER FLOOD WATCHES THROUGH THIS EVENING. KATHY PARK HAS LATE DETAILS. >> Reporter: TONIGHT, A CONFIRMED TORNADO TOUCHING DOWN IN MASSACHUSETTS, LEVELING TREES AND DAMAGING HOMES. OTHER PARTS OF NEW ENGLAND UNDER WATER. BUT FLASH FLOODS STRANDING DRIVERS AND SWALLOWING PARKED CARS. THE SAME STORM SYSTEM SLAMMING STATES UP AND DOWN THE EAST COAST MONDAY NIGHT. PARTS OF PENNSYLVANIA TOOK THE BRUNT OF THE BRUTAL WEATHER. >> I SEE THE WIND COMING THROUGH IN THE DARKNESS. >> Reporter: ANDREW TOOK COVER IN HIS PAYMENT AS TORNADO WARNINGS WERE ISSUED. >> AND THEN I HEAR SIMULTANEOUS CRASHED AROUND THE HOUSE. >> Reporter: IN THE D.C. SUBURBS, AN OUTBREAK OF HEAVY DOWNPOURS, HAIL AND HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS. >> FURNITURE WENT WHOOSH AND THE POWER WENT WHUMP. >> Reporter: WHILE IN MARYLAND, AN OPERATION TO REPAIR 30 POWER LINES KNOCKED DOWN AT THE HEIGHT OF RUSH HOUR. 33 PEOPLE TRAPPED INSIDE THEIR CARS FOR HOURS, INCLUDING MORE THAN A DOZEN CHILDREN. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS SAY IN THESE SITUATIONS, DRIVERS SHOULD STAY IN THEIR CAR AND WAIT FOR INSTRUCTIONS FROM FIRST RESPONDERS. >> POLES START TO FALL DOWN. >> Reporter: JOSEPH DORSEY AND HIS FOUR GRANDKIDS WERE DRIVING WHEN THEY WITNESSED DISASTER UNFOLDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM. THEY MANAGED TO GET OUT OF HARM'S WAY JUST IN TIME. >> THE SHERIFF CAME THROUGH TELLING US NOT TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. >> Reporter: WHAT'S THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAY FROM ALL OF THIS? >> THAT IT'S A MIRACLE. I COULDN'T BELIEVE THE POLES WERE SNAPPING THE WAY THEY WERE. >> THE POLES WERE JUST SNAPPING LIKE THEY WERE TWIGS. >> Reporter: AND THE DANGEROUS WAVE OF SEVERE WEATHER TURNED DEADLY IN THE SOUTH. LIGHTNING STRUCK AND KILLED A MAN IN ALABAMA. IN SOUTH CAROLINA, A FALLEN TREE KILLED A 15-YEAR-OLD. >> IT'S GOING TO BE A TREE IN A GARAGE, A MOTHER AND CHILD TRAPPED IN THE GARAGE. >> Reporter: AN ACTIVE WEEK OF DAMAGING STORMS AS PARTS OF THE MIDWEST AND SOUTH BRACE FOR THE NEXT ROUND TOMORROW. >> AND KATHY, CLEANUP EFFORTS STILL UNDER WAY IN PARTS OF MARYLAND TONIGHT? >> LESTER, THAT IS CORRECT. THERE IS STILL A BIG CLEANUP UNDER WAY RIGHT NOW. AS YOU CAN SEE BEHIND ME, DOZENS OF CARS STILL NEED TO BE REMOVED. POWER LINES ARE SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE AREA. THEY ARE DEACTIVATED. CREWS ARE OUT BUT IT'S UNCLEAR WHEN THE HIGHWAY WILL BE REOPENED. >> KATHY PARK, THANK YOU. >>> PARTS OF THE COUNTRY'S SECOND LARGEST CITY, LOS ANGELES, WERE SHUT DOWN AS 11,000 CITY WORKERS WALKED OFF THE JOB. EVERYTHING FROM TRASH COLLECTION TO SWIMMING POOLS TO L.A.X. AFFECTED. MIGUEL ALMAGUER IS THERE. >> Reporter: WALKING OFF THE JOB ON THE STEPS OF CITY HALL, 11,000 LOS ANGELES CITY WORKERS SHOWING STRENGTH IN NUMBERS. A ONE-DAY STRIKE, THE FIRST IN MORE THAN 40 YEARS, AIMED AT SHUTTING DOWN OR DISRUPTING SERVICES IN THE NATION'S SECOND LARGEST CITY. >> PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF NOT BEING HEARD, NOT BEING SEEN, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, BEING RESPECTED AND APPRECIATED. >> Reporter: PROTESTS SEEING STALLED CONTRACT NEGOTIATION, CITY CUSTODIANS AND MAINTENANCE CREWS JUST SOME OF THOSE WALKING THE PICKET LINES. IMPACTING SHUTTLE SERVICES AT L.A.X., ANIMAL SHELTERS, AS WELL AS TRASH PICKUP ACROSS THE CITY. TODAY TRAFFIC OFFICERS AND LIFEGUARDS WERE ALSO A NO-SHOW. >> WE FEEL LIKE WE'VE BEEN SLAPPED IN THE FACE. WE'RE CHANGING THAT TODAY. WE'RE SENDING A MESSAGE LOUD AND CLEAR. >> EVEN THOUGH THE CITY'S CONTRACT WITH THE UNION DOESN'T EXPIRE UNTIL THIS WINTER, SEIU LOCAL 721 SAYS THE CITY IS NEGOTIATING IN BAD FAITH. AS THE UNION DEMANDS FILL THOUSANDS OF VACANCIES AND OFFER BETTER PAY AND BENEFITS, TONIGHT THE MAYOR SAID THE CITY HAS NOT SHUT DOWN AND WILL CONTINUE BARGAINING IN GOOD FAITH FOR FAIR CONTRACTS. >> EVERYBODY DESERVES TO MAKE A LIVING. >> Reporter: IN WHAT HAS BECOME A SUMMER OF STRIKES, CITY WORKERS JOINED WRITERS, ACTORS, AND HOTEL WORKERS IN LOS ANGELES WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE PICKET LINE FOR WEEKS. TOMORROW, ONE STRIKE COMES TO AN END WHEN THOUSANDS OF WORKERS REMAIN UNITED OVER THEIR DIVISION WITH THE CITY. MIGUEL ALMAGUER, NBC NEWS, LOS ANGELES. >>> THE SUPREME COURT TODAY REVISED THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S RESTRICTIONS ON SO-CALLED GHOST GUNS, THOSE GUN-MAKING KITS PEOPLE CAN BUY ONLINE THAT ARE HARDER TO TRACE. THE COURT RULED THE RESTRICTION ALSO REMAIN IN PLACE WHILE LOWER COURTS CONSIDER THE ISSUE. THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SAYS GHOST GUNS SHOULD BE REGULATED LIKE OTHER FIREARMS. >>> IN THE RACE FOR PRESIDENT, FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DeSANTIS HAS REPLACED HIS CAMPAIGN MANAGER. THE LATEST STAFF SHAKE-UP AS HE STRUGGLES TO GAIN TRACTION AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP. THE MOVE COMES AFTER TWO PREVIOUS ROUNDS OF CAMPAIGN LAYOFFS. >>> IN OHIO, BOATERS ARE TURNING OUT IN FORCE FOR A RARE AUGUST SPECIAL ELECTION. THE REASON, IT COULD HAVE HUGE IMPLICATIONS ON ABORTION RIGHTS IN THE STATE. ALLI VITALI IS THERE FOR US. >> Reporter: TONIGHT IN OHIO, A HIGHLY CHARGED TURNOUT, VOTERS WEIGHING WHETHER TO REQUIRE A 60% THRESHOLD TO AMEND THE STATE'S CONSTITUTION, RATHER THAN JUST A MAJORITY. TOP REPUBLICANS BACKING THE CHANGE, KNOWN AS ISSUE 1 ON THE BALLOT. >> IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE THE LAW, CHANGE THE LAW. YOU CAN DO THAT WITH A SIMPLE MAJORITY. BUT IN THE CONSTITUTION, WE SHOULD HAVE A HIGHER STANDARD. >> Reporter: BUT OPPONENTS SAY ISSUE 1 IS ONLY DESIGNED TO MAKE IT HARDER TO ENSHRINE ABORTION RIGHT PRO ECONNECTIONS IN THE STATE'S CONSTITUTION, WHICH OHIOANS WILL VOTE ON IN NOVEMBER. THE GOP SECRETARY OF STATE RECENTLY SAYING ISSUE 1 IS 100% ABOUT BLOCKING ABORTION PROTECTION. >> HAS GOT TO GO, HEY HEY, HO HO. >> Reporter: OPPONENTS SENSING ENERGY ON THE GROUND. >> FOLKS ARE ENERGIZED. FOLKS ARE ANGRY AND THEY'RE SEEING THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY HAVE THEIR VOICE HEARD. >> Reporter: IT'S ALL AGAINST THE NATIONAL BACKDROP OF RED STATES LOSING REFERENDUMS ON ABORTION THE PAST YEAR SINCE THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED ROE V. WADE. >> WHAT'S THE LESSON FOR YOUR PARTY IF COME TUESDAY NIGHT OR WEDNESDAY MORNING THE BALLOT INITIATIVE FAILS? >> MAYBE WE SHOULD SPEND MORE TIME THINKING THROUGH THINGS BEFORE TAKING THE STEP. >> Reporter: BUT A TOP REPUBLICAN DISAGREED. ANY REGRETS ABOUT THE APPROACH? >> NO, IT'S BETTER TO FIGHT AND LOSE THAN NEVER FIGHT AT ALL. I CAN TELL YOU THIS. I THINK IT WILL SUCCEED. >> Reporter: RESULTS IN THIS TYPICALLY RED STATE WILL PROVIDE A ROAD MAP FOR OTHER STATES, EITHER FOR FUTURE EFFORTS TO STYMIE ABORTION ACCESS OR TO PAINT REPUBLICANS AS OUT OF STEP ON THIS ISSUE. LESTER? >> ALI VITALI, THANK YOU. >>> SURPRISING NEWS TONIGHT ABOUT A POPULAR WEIGHT LOSS DRUG THAT MIGHT ALSO WARD OFF OTHER SERIOUS HEALTH RISKS. ANNE THOMPSON IS FOLLOWING THIS. WHAT DID THE STUDY FIND? >> THIS IS A LARGE STUDY THAT FINDS THAT THE WEIGHT LOSS DRUG WEGOVY NOT ONLY HELPS PEOPLE LOSE POUNDS, IT ALSO REDUCES THEIR RISK OF STROKES AND HEART ATTACKS BY 20%. THESE RESULTS ARE FROM A CLINICAL TRIAL OF MORE THAN 17,000 ADULTS 45 YEARS AND OLDER WHO HAVE CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND ARE ALSO CONSIDERED OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE. THE FINDINGS WERE RELEASED BY THE DRUGMAKER, BUT THEY HAVE NOT YET BEEN PEER REVIEWED. >> IT'S AN EXPENSIVE DRUG. WILL INSURANCE START COVERING IT YET? >> NOT YET. THIS DRUG CAN RUN UP TO $1300 A MONTH, BUT FEW INSURANCE PLANS COVER IT. THE LARGEST ASSOCIATION OF HEALTH INSURERS TODAY SAID THE RESULTS ARE POTENTIALLY ENCOURAGING, BUT THE LONG-TERM EFFECTIVENESS CANNOT BE BASED ON A MANUFACTURER'S PRESS RELEASE. AND THE GROUP SAYS IT WILL ANALYZE THE NEW EVIDENCE AS IT COMES IN, LESTER. >> ANNE THOMPSON, THANK YOU. >>> IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA, CHARGES WERE ANNOUNCED TODAY AGAINST THREE MEN INVOLVED IN THAT VIOLENT CONFRONTATION AT A RIVERFRONT DOCK. AND THERE IS NEW VIDEO OF THAT INCIDENT TONIGHT. SAM BROCK HAS LATE DETAILS FOR US. >> Reporter: THREE MEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS MONTGOMERY BRAWL TONIGHT ARE FACING ASSAULT CHARGES. >> 13 INDIVIDUALS WERE DETAINED AND BROUGHT TO POLICE HEADQUARTERS FOR QUESTIONING. THIS INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING, AND MORE CHARGES ARE LIKELY. >> Reporter: THE TRIO OF MEN FACIE ING MISDEMEANOR CHARGES, RICHARD ROBERT, ALLEN TODD AND ZACHARY SHIPMAN. POLICE SAY ONE PERSON HAS ALREADY TURNED HIMSELF IN, WITH THE OTHERS EXPECTED TO TONIGHT. THE INCIDENT HAS DRAWN NATIONAL OUTRAGE. >> I DON'T THINK YOU CAN JUDGE ANY COMMUNITY IN ONE INCIDENT. >> Reporter: THE MAN SEEN ATTACKED IN THE VIDEO IS RIVERBOAT CO-CAPTAIN DAMIEN PICKETT. POLICE SAY THE CAPTAIN SPENT ABOUT 45 MINUTES TRYING TO GET THE PONTOON BOAT OWNERS TRYING TO MOVE USING A P.A. SYSTEM BEFORE PICKETT UNTIED THE BOAT. >> THE CO-CAPTAIN WAS DOING HIS JOB. HE WAS SIMPLY TRYING TO MOVE THE BOAT JUST ENOUGH TO WHERE THE CRUISE SHIP CAN PARK. >> Reporter: THIS NEW VIDEO SHOWS OTHER MEN COMING TO PICKETT'S AID AS THE ALTERCATION ESCALATES. THE UNFOLDING FIGHT LARGELY ALONG RACIAL LINES, FUELING QUESTIONS ABOUT POSSIBLE HATE CRIME CHARGES, THOUGH THE CHIEF SAYS THERE IS CURRENTLY NO EVIDENCE THAT WOULD MEET THE FBI'S STANDARD FOR THAT. >> THERE WAS NO STONE UNTURNED. WE EXAMINED THIS OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. NOT ONLY THAT NIGHT, BUT SINCE THAT NIGHT. WE WERE UNABLE TO PRESENT ANY INCITE A RIOT OR RACIALLY BIASED CHARGES AT THIS TIME. >> Reporter: THOSE WHO WITNESSED THE MELEE LIKE SHEA ANDRI HANNAH FELT HELPLESS WHAT IS YOUR TAKE AWAY ABOUT WHAT YOU WITNESSED THE OTHER WEEKEND? >> IT IS A BIG SURPRISE. IT WAS A SHOCK. YOU NEVER KNOW HOW PEOPLE ARE GOING TO REACT NOWADAYS. >> Reporter: HOPING THE INVESTIGATION DELIVERS JUSTICE. SAM BROCK, NBC NEWS. >>> IN 60 SECONDS, THE WOMAN ATTACKED BY A SHARK OFF A NEW YORK CITY BEACH NOW IN SERIOUS CONDITION, AND >>> MAJOR BEACH IN NEW YORK CITY WAS CLOSED TODAY AFTER A RARE SHARK ATTACK. A 65-YEAR-OLD SWIMMER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH CRITICAL INJURIES, AND TONIGHT WE'RE LEARNING NEW DETAILS ABOUT JUST HOW BADLY SHE WAS HURT. HERE IS STEPHANIE GOSK. >> Reporter: ON A SUNNY AUGUST AFTERNOON, ROCKAWAY BEACH IN NEW YORK CITY IS EMPTY. THE POPULAR SPOT FOR SWIMMERS AND SURFERS WAS CLOSED AFTER A SUSPECTED SHARK ATTACK. JUST BEFORE 6:00 P.M. MONDAY, A WOMAN WAS BITTEN ON THE LEFT LEG. >> I HEARD SHE WAS JUST BLEEDING. >> WHEN THAT HAPPENS, YOU NEED TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL. >> Reporter: THE 65-YEAR-OLD WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE SHE IS NOW IN STABLE CONDITION. A TOP POLICE OFFICIAL SAYS DRAMATIC DAMAGE WAS DONE TO HER LEG. THE POLICE WERE AT THE BEACH TODAY WITH DRONES, HELICOPTERS, AND BOATS, WHILE LIFEGUARDS MADE SURE PEOPLE STAYED OUT OF THE WATER. IT'S THE FIRST SUSPECTED SHARK BITE HERE IN 70 YEARS, BUT NOT FAR AWAY ON LONG ISLAND, THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE ATTACKS THIS SUMMER. FIVE PEOPLE WERE BITTEN OVER THE FOURTH OF JULY, SHUTTING BEACHES DOWN DURING THE BUSY HOLIDAY. LAST JULY, THERE WAS A SIMILAR FLURRY OF ATTACKS IN THE SAME AREA. FIVE PEOPLE WERE BITTEN, INCLUDING TEENAGED SURFER MAX HAYNES. >> I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING COMING. JUST I FELT ON MY FOOT LIKE A BEAR TRAP JUST GET ME FROM BELOW, AND HARD. IT FELT LIKE IT BROKE MY FOOT. >> Reporter: MARINE BIOLOGIST BELIEVE THE SMALL BAIT FISH THAT SHARKS EAT CALLED BUNKERS MAY BE PARTIALLY TO BLAME. >> THE BUNKERS STAY OFFSHORE, THE SHARKS STAY QUALIFY SHORE. THE BUNKERS MOVE IN. IS IT JUST THEY'RE FOLLOWING THE FOOD? >> Reporter: IT'S ACTUALLY A SIGN, SCIENTISTS SAY, THAT THE WATER AND ECOSYSTEM ARE HEALTHY. THERE WERE NO SHARK SIGHTINGS HERE TODAY, BUT TO THE EAST TWO BEACHES CLOSED BECAUSE OF SHARK ACTIVITY. OFFICIALS AT ONE OF THEM SAID THERE WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY NUMBER OF BUNKER FISH ON THE SHORELINE. LESTER? >> STEPHANIE GOSK, THANK YOU. >>> COMING UP, OUR NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION ON SELF-DRIVING CARS. THE SURPRISING NUMBER OF >>> BACK NOW WITH OUR NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION. A MAJOR VOTE IN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK COULD ALLOW MORE DRIVERLESS CARS ON THE ROAD IN SAN FRANCISCO. BUT WE HAVE NEW DETAILS TONIGHT IN THE DANGERS THEY MAY POSE. BIGAD SHABAN FROM OUR BAY AREA STATION KNTV EXPLAINS. >> Reporter: NOW HANDS ON THE WHEEL. NO HANDS AT ALL. OKAY, I JUST REQUESTED OUR RIDE, AND IT'S THREE MINUTES AWAY. >> Reporter: MORE THAN 2,000 SELF-DRIVING CARS ARE ON THE ROAD IN CALIFORNIA. MOST HAVE A TEST DRIVER INSIDE WHO CAN TAKE OVER WHEN NEEDED. BUT HUNDREDS OF CARS HAVE NO ONE IN THE FRONT SEAT AS THEY MAKE DELIVERIES AND SHUTTLE PASSENGERS. WE TRIED A RIDE WITH CRUZE. OWNED BY GM, IT'S ONE OF THE LARGEST RIDE SHARES IN AMERICA ALONG WITH WEMO. BOTH HAVE ASKING FOR PERMISSION TO EXPAND TESTING GROUNDSES SAN FRANCISCO, SO PASSENGERS CAN REQUEST RIDES 24 HOURS A DAY RIGHT FROM THEIR PHONES. ONCE YOU ENTER YOUR DESTINATION, THE CAR DOES THE REST. YOU CAN'T TELL IT WHAT ROUTES TO TAKE OR STREETS TO AVOID. SO IF YOU'RE USED TO BEING A BACK SEAT DRIVER, YOU MIGHT WANT TO FIND A CAR WITH A FRONT SEAT DRIVER. AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES CAN DETECT CLOSED STREETS, DRIVE AROUND DOUBLE-PARKED CARS, AND EVEN PULL OVER FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES. BUT GETTING CHAUFFEURED BY A ROBOT ISN'T ALWAYS A SMOOTH RIDE. STATE TRANSPORTATION RECORDS OBTAINED BY NBC NEWS SHOW SELF-DRIVING CARS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN 280 CRASHES ACROSS CALIFORNIA OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS. RESULTING IN AT LEAST 64 INJURIES AND A DEAD DOG. THAT INCLUDES COLLISIONS WITH OTHER VEHICLES, BICYCLIST, AND CITY BUSES. >> A SELF-DRIVING CAR RAN INTO ME, NO DRIVER. >> Reporter: SOME ACCIDENTS WERE CAUSED BY OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD, ACCORDING TO CRASH REPORTS. HOW MANY IS UNCLEAR FROM THE DATA. BUT THE CARS HAVE BEEN CONFUSED BY EMERGENCY SCENES, SOMETIMES PLOWING INTO CAUTION TAPE OR BLOCKING FIRE TRUCKS. WEMO DIDN'T COMMENT, BUT CRUZE TELLS US AUTOMATION HAS SAFETY BENEFITS. >> OUR CARS DON'T DRIVE DRUNK. THEY DON'T GET DISTRACTED. >> Reporter: ONE OF THE LEADERS AT CRUZE. >> OUR VEHICLES ARE DESIGNED TO WHEN THEY APPROACH A SITUATION, THAT THEY AREN'T SURE ABOUT, THEY'RE DESIGNED TO COME TO A SAFE STOP. >> BUT YOU WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THAT EVEN COMING TO A FULL STOP CAN CREATE SAFETY ISSUES TOO. >> Reporter: THE TRAFFIC BLOCKAGES ARE NOT SOMETHING WE WANT TO HAVE HAPPEN. >> Reporter: JUST HOURS AFTER THAT INTERVIEW, IT DID HAPPEN, TO US. OUR FIRST RIDE WITH CRUZE WENT AS PLANNED. BUT WE THEN INVITED A LONG-TIME DRIVING INSTRUCTOR, EUGENIA BORGES TO JOIN US. ABOUT ONE MILE IN, THE CAR WOULDN'T BUDGE. >> IT'S A SITUATION FOR THE CAR TO BUDGE AND IT'S JUST STAYING HERE. I'M NOT SURE WHY. >> Reporter: THE CAR EVENTUALLY INCHED FORWARD BUT KEPT STOPPING. >> WE'RE KIND OF RIDING IN TWO LANES. >> Reporter: THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT HIT THE GAS. >> OH. >> OKAY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S DOING NOW. >> Reporter: OUR CAR DROVE STRAIGHT TOWARDS THE MEDIAN AND JUST STOPPED, TAKING UP ALMOST TWO FULL LANES. >> THIS IS NOT GOOD. YEAH. PEOPLE ARE HONKING AT US. >> Reporter: SOON CAME THE LOOKS FROM OTHER DRIVERS. HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO THE WORST DRIVING STUDENT YOU'VE EVER HAD? >> OH, THIS IS MUCH WORSE. >> Reporter: CRUZE DECLINED TO SIT DOWN WITH US AGAIN, BUT IN A STATEMENT SAID THE CAR ENCOUNTERED AN UNEXPECTED CONSTRUCTION ZONE THAT WOULD HAVE REQUIRED SEVERAL LANE CHANGES. THE BETTER COURSE WAS FOR THE AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE TO COME TO A SAFE STOP RATHER THAN PROCEED. WHILE OTHER DRIVERS CRUISED RIGHT PAST THAT CLOSED LANE, OUR CAR SAT PARKED ON A BUSY STREET FOR 20 MINUTES, CAUSING A TRAFFIC JAM FOR BLOCKS. WHAT'S YOUR REACTION IT BEING A DRIVERLESS CAR STUCK HERE? >> I'M NOT SURPRISED. >> Reporter: SELF-DRIVING CARS ARE ALREADY BEING TESTED IN 25 STATES, BUT WITH NO FEDERAL REGULATION, AMERICA DOESN'T HAVE A ROAD MAP FOR SAFETY GUIDELINES. BACK INSIDE OUR CAR, CRUZE CUSTOMER SERVICE CONTACTED US TO SAY THEY DETECTED A PROBLEM. THEIR SOLUTION? THEY SENT US A DRIVER >>> YOU HAVE YOUR TICKETS FOR TONIGHT'S MEGA MILLIONS DRAWING? THE JACKPOT SOARING TO AN ESTIMATED $1.58 BILLION. IT'S THE HIGHEST PRIZE IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME. YOUR O ♪♪ >> AN THAT'S