Police have identified the two people killed after a Kansas mother allegedly drove her pickup truck onto youth soccer fields at the Stryker Sports Complex. The driver has since been released from custody.
Cole Adrian, 6, and Nicholas Schafer, 35, were named Sunday as the victims of Saturday’s crash, which also left at least 10 people injured, including several children.
The 34-year-old Garden City woman reportedly cried, “Oh my God, oh my God, what have I done?” after bystanders removed her from the Chevrolet pickup, according to the New York Post.
One of her children was riding in the truck’s back seat when it entered the soccer fields, while her other child was participating in a game on another field.
Parents and other spectators immediately rushed to help, providing what Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan described as “life-saving assistance” to those injured.
“It was truly amazing, but I think it’s indicative of the Wichita community,” Sullivan said.
Police said the woman was released Sunday afternoon while investigators await toxicology results and complete a mechanical inspection of the vehicle.
“No charges have been filed at this time, and investigators continue working to determine the circumstances that led to the crash,” authorities said.
Cole Adrian and Nicholas Schafer were killed after a Kansas mother allegedly drove her pickup truck onto the youth soccer fields at Stryker Sports Complex. The driver has been released from police custody.
Police released the driver without charges Sunday afternoon as authorities identified the victims as 6-year-old Cole Adrian and 35-year-old Nicholas Schafer.
The crash killed Adrian and Schafer, pictured, injured at least 10 others and prompted the transport of another person to a hospital for a medical emergency (source: Facebook/ Nick Schafer).
Adrian and Schafer, both McPherson natives and not related, were pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Several of the injured victims were taken to hospitals in critical condition.
Those suffering traumatic injuries included a 5-year-old girl, a 5-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl. The other injured individuals ranged in age from 28 to 68.
Police Captain Aaron Moses said one of the driver’s children was inside the back of the Chevrolet pickup when the crash occurred. Her other child was playing soccer on a separate field, the Post reported.
The driver, who is from Garden City, Kansas, stayed at the scene after the incident and was later taken into custody.
Investigators have not said whether they believe the vehicle entered the soccer complex intentionally or by accident.
“At about 3:25pm Sedgwick County emergency communications began receiving multiple emergency calls reporting that a vehicle had driven through a soccer game at Stryker soccer complex,” Moses told KWCH.
“Our officers along with law-enforcement from the area, Wichita Fire Department and Sedgwick County EMS responded to the scene.
“We have two fatalities confirmed here at the scene and multiple other casualties with individuals transported to area hospitals.
Bystanders and other parents pulled the mother from the pickup as spectators worked to provide “life-saving assistance” to those hurt, Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan said.
The victims, both McPherson natives who police said were not related, were pronounced dead at the scene (source: Facebook/Ashley Schafer)
Emergency responders wheel a stretcher near the scene of the horrific incident, which saw multiple casualties rushed to area hospitals following the deadly crash
‘The vehicle involved in this incident remained at the scene. The driver of that vehicle is currently in our custody. There is no additional ongoing threat to the public from that driver.’
Moses said he did not know how fast the truck was going or how it managed to get on to the field. He said police had managed to interview more than 30 witnesses in an effort to establish exactly what happened.
A witness told local television station 12 News that a ‘black pickup truck came plowing through the youth soccer fields hitting multiple people before stopping 100-200 yards down the fields.’
The witness described harrowing scenes as emergency responders rushed to help those struck by the vehicle.
‘Dozens of emergency responders on scene giving CPR and rendering aid to victims,’ the witness said.
The account suggested the truck had traveled a considerable distance across the sports fields before finally coming to a stop.
Police are appealing for anyone with video footage of the incident to share it with them.
‘Regardless of how significant you believe your footage may be, we encourage you to submit it. Even the smallest detail could assist investigators,’ said the WPD.
Investigators examine items scattered across the grass as police tape surrounds the scene where a vehicle plowed through a soccer game, killing two people
After striking almost a dozen people at around 3.25pm, the woman shouted, ‘Oh my God, oh my God, what have I done?’ a reporter recalled
Wichita Mayor Lily Wu said she’s ‘heartbroken’ and advised people to avoid the area, adding, ‘My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected, especially the children and families involved.’
The tragedy unfolded at a venue popular with young soccer players and their families, turning what should have been an ordinary Saturday afternoon of sport into an emergency.
The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) said play has been suspended for the flag football state championship following the deadly accident.
‘Games will not resume this weekend, but a later announcement will be made with updated game times,’ KSHSAA said.
The association extended its condolences to the ‘families and teams impacted by the incident on a field adjacent to the flag football competition at Stryker Sports Complex Saturday.’
‘Given the nature of the emergency, we felt it was best to suspend the flag football third place and championship games until a later date. Details will be announced Monday,’ KSHSAA said.
Stryker Sports Complex in northeast Wichita, is a major regional soccer facility that hosts youth competitions and other sporting events.
Its extensive playing fields regularly attract young athletes, coaches and spectators from across the region.
The fact that the vehicle appeared to drive directly through a soccer game has raised urgent questions about how it came to enter the playing area.
