WICHITA, Kan. — A pickup truck driven by a woman with two children in the vehicle crossed a youth soccer field Saturday, killing a 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man and injuring 11 others, police said.
The driver, a 34-year-old Garden City woman, remained at the scene and was taken into custody. Investigators had not determined whether she drove onto the field intentionally or announced criminal charges.
Both people killed were from McPherson, Kansas, and were not related, Wichita Police Capt. Aaron Moses said. Their names were not immediately released.
Emergency crews responded to multiple 911 calls around 3:25 p.m. at Stryker Sports Complex. Before police and paramedics arrived, spectators rushed to help the injured.
The 11 people hospitalized included five children ages 5 to 9. The injured adults ranged in age from 28 to 68. Police described injuries ranging from bruises to extremely severe trauma, although none initially appeared life-threatening.
Moses said investigators believed one of the driver’s children was participating in a game elsewhere at the complex, rather than on the field the truck crossed. Two juveniles were inside the pickup when it entered the field.
The woman was cooperating with investigators, police said.
Authorities interviewed more than 30 witnesses and asked anyone with photographs or video to provide the material to detectives. Police said there was no continuing threat to the public.
Police Chief Joe Sullivan cautioned that investigators still had significant questions to answer.
“We know what happened, but now we’re working very hard to find out why it happened, and we’re not there yet,” Sullivan said.
He credited bystanders with providing lifesaving assistance while emergency crews were on their way.
The sports complex canceled all events until further notice. The Kansas State High School Activities Association also suspended flag football championship games being held on an adjacent field.
The incident transformed a busy afternoon of youth sports into an emergency response involving injured children, frightened families and spectators searching for their loved ones.
Mayor Lily Wu called it a heartbreaking day for Wichita and urged people to avoid the area while investigators worked.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said she was monitoring the response and had been in contact with the mayor. She offered condolences to the victims’ families, survivors and others affected.
Authorities asked for patience as they continued examining how the truck reached the playing field and what led to the fatal incident.
