2 killed, 11 injured as truck enters Wichita soccer field on Saturday

The Big Picture

A truck drove onto a youth soccer field at Wichita's Stryker Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon, killing a 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man and sending 11 other people to hospitals, police said.

Both people killed were from McPherson, Kansas, and were not related, Wichita Police Capt. Aaron Moses said. Authorities had not publicly released their names as of Sunday morning.

The driver, a 34-year-old woman from Garden City, Kansas, remained at the scene and was taken into custody. CNN reported that the driver is a mother and that two juveniles were in the truck with her. Police said she had been cooperative, but investigators had not determined whether the incident was intentional or whether charges would be filed.

What Happened

Emergency calls began at about 3:25 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, reporting that a vehicle had driven through a soccer game at the complex, police said. The complex is in northeast Wichita and hosts youth and adult sports events.

First responders found the boy and man dead at the scene, according to police. They also found bystanders helping injured people before emergency crews arrived. Wichita Fire Chief Michael Mire said responders did not begin patient care, but continued care community members had already started.

Eleven people were taken to hospitals. Police said 10 had traumatic injuries ranging from bruises to extremely severe injuries, though the injuries were believed to be non-life-threatening. A 61-year-old woman was hospitalized for non-traumatic medical issues.

The people with traumatic injuries included five children ages 5 through 9 and five adults ages 28 through 68, police said.

Background

Two juveniles were inside the truck when it entered the field, police said. One of the driver's children had a soccer game at the complex, but on a different field from the one where the crash occurred.

Investigators have not said how the vehicle got onto the field or how fast it was traveling. Police Chief Joe Sullivan said authorities knew what happened but were still working to determine why.

Police had interviewed more than 30 witnesses by Saturday night and asked anyone with photographs or video to submit them to investigators.

What Happens Next

All events at Stryker Sports Complex have been canceled until further notice, the City of Wichita said. The Kansas State High School Activities Association also suspended flag football championship and third-place games that had been scheduled at the complex.

Moses called the incident "a tragedy." Wichita Mayor Lily Wu said she was heartbroken by reports from the complex and expressed sympathy for the children and families affected. Gov. Laura Kelly said she was monitoring the situation, had offered state resources to the mayor and extended condolences to victims, survivors and others affected.

The investigation remained active Sunday. Police have not announced a motive, described the circumstances that led the truck onto the field, or said whether the driver will face charges.