Driver Who Plowed Truck onto a Youth Soccer Field During a Game, Killing 2, Evades Charges
At around 3:25 p.m. on Saturday, emergency services received reports of a “vehicle that had driven through a youth soccer game” at a Wichita sports complex.Credit: 12 News/youtubeThe 34-year-old woman was taken into custody following the incident in Wichita and released shortly after
The driver who plowed a pickup truck through a youth soccer field in Kansas has been released and is not facing charges
The 34-year-old driver was taken into custody following the incident in Wichita, but was set free shortly after
The investigation into the tragedy remains ongoing
The driver who plowed a pickup truck through a youth soccer field in Kansas has been released by police, and authorities have not filed any charges.
The Wichita Police Department (WPD) said in a news release on Sunday, Oct. 18, that the 34-year-old driver was taken into custody following the incident at Stryker Sports Complex the prior afternoon.
But after investigators conducted more than 30 interviews — including some with two of the driver’s children — and consulted with the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, police said the driver was “subsequently released pending the results of toxicology testing and a mechanical examination of the vehicle.”
No charges have been filed, and investigators are still looking into the circumstances of the crash.
At around 3:25 p.m. local time on Oct. 17, emergency services received reports of a “vehicle that had driven through a youth soccer game” at the Wichita sports complex, Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses said at a press conference.
“Officers and paramedics arrived [at the] scene on a field on the west end of the complex where they saw community members and citizens rendering medical aid to those who were injured,” Moses explained. “They also located a truck on the west side of the field. The driver was still with the vehicle, along with two juveniles.”
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A 6-year-old boy, Cole Adrian, and a 35-year-old man, Nicholas Schafer, were pronounced dead at the scene. The victims were not related, per police.
Ten others suffered serious injuries, including a 5-year-old girl and boy, two 8-year-old boys, a 9-year-old girl and three women and two men between the ages of 28 and 68.
One other person was also transported to a local hospital after experiencing medical complications unrelated to traumatic injuries.
The identity of the driver has not been shared publicly. Police said the driver’s two children were inside her truck at the time of the crash, while her other child was playing soccer on another field at the complex.
In a statement, Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan expressed his condolences to the families of the two victims.
“Our hearts are with the families of Adrian and Nicholas as they face an unimaginable loss. What should have been a day of children playing soccer and families spending time together ended in tragedy,” Sullivan said. “We are also thinking about those who were injured, their loved ones and everyone who witnessed what happened.”
Officials said that Sedgwick County COMCARE is currently offering mental health services for anyone in need of emotional support.
“We know this tragedy has affected many people throughout our community, and we want those families to know they are not alone,” explained Sullivan. “Our officers and investigators will continue working to understand exactly what happened.”
Police said that the investigation into the incident is still active. Anyone with information about the crash is encouraged to contact investigators at 316-268-4407, or anonymously at 316-267-2111.
Source: Crime
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