WICHITA, Kansas — A 34-year-old woman who drove a pickup truck onto a youth soccer field in Wichita on Saturday, killing two people and injuring 10 others, has been released without charges as authorities continue their investigation, police announced Sunday.
The woman was released pending the results of toxicology tests and a mechanical examination of her Chevrolet pickup, Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan said. No charges have been filed to date. The driver had three children with her at the time of the incident: two were inside the truck, while another was playing soccer on a separate field at the Stryker Sports Complex.
The crash occurred at approximately 3:25 p.m. Saturday when the pickup, which had been parked in a nearby lot, drove onto the soccer field. The victims killed were identified as Cole Adrian, 6, and Nicholas Schafer, 35, both of McPherson, Kansas. They were not related. The injured ranged in age from 5 to 68, with 10 taken to local hospitals. Injuries were described as non-serious, though some were traumatic.
Investigators have interviewed more than 30 witnesses, including the driver and her two children who were in the truck. Police have not determined the cause of the crash, including whether it was intentional, the result of a medical emergency, impairment, or another factor. The Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office was consulted before the woman’s release.
Community Response and Official Statements
Wichita Mayor Lily Wu expressed grief over the incident, calling the news “heartbreaking” and offering condolences to the families affected. Sullivan praised the community’s response, noting that civilians at the scene provided life-saving assistance to victims before first responders arrived.
The Stryker Sports Complex, located in northeast Wichita, has been cordoned off during the investigation. Authorities have not indicated any further public threat.
Key Details of the Investigation
- Vehicle: 2000s-model Chevrolet pickup, parked before driving onto the field.
- Location: Stryker Sports Complex, Wichita.
- Victims: Two fatalities (6-year-old boy, 35-year-old man); 10 injured, including five children.
- Driver’s Status: Released pending toxicology and vehicle analysis; cooperating with investigators.
- Witnesses: Over 30 interviewed, including children present in the truck.
Police have not released the driver’s name, citing the ongoing investigation. Further updates are expected as forensic and mechanical analyses are completed.