Two Killed, 11 Hospitalized After Pickup Truck Drives Onto Wichita Youth Soccer Field

A pickup truck drove onto a field at Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, Kansas, on Saturday, Oct. 17, killing a 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man during a youth soccer game. Eleven other people were taken to hospitals.

Wichita police say they know what happened. They do not yet know why.

"We know what happened, but now we're working very hard to find out why it happened, and we're not there yet," Police Chief Joe Sullivan told reporters.

What police have confirmed

Sedgwick County dispatchers began receiving multiple 911 calls around 3:25 p.m. CT, Capt. Aaron Moses said at a Saturday evening news conference.

The two people killed were pronounced dead on the field. Both were from McPherson, Kansas. Moses said they were not related.

Of the 11 people hospitalized, five were children: two 5-year-olds, two 8-year-olds and a 9-year-old girl. The injured adults range in age from 28 to 68. Ten people had traumatic injuries, which Moses said ranged from bruises to "extremely severe injuries." Police believe those injuries are not life-threatening. A 61-year-old woman was transported for a nontraumatic medical issue.

When officers arrived, the truck was at the west end of the field and bystanders were already giving aid to the injured. A witness told Wichita station KWCH the truck, which the witness described as black, hit multiple people before stopping 100 to 200 yards down the fields. The witness also described dozens of emergency responders giving aid and CPR.

The driver

The driver is a 34-year-old woman from Garden City, Kansas. She stayed with the truck and is in police custody. Police have not released her name.

Moses said she has a valid driver's license and no outstanding arrest warrants. "She has been cooperative up to this point in the investigation," he said.

Police believe one of her children was playing soccer at the complex that day, but not on the field where the crash happened. Two juveniles were inside the truck when it went onto the field. Police have not said how old they are or whether they were hurt.

Moses said he did not know how fast the truck was traveling or how it got onto the field. Police have said they have not determined whether the crash was intentional or whether a medical emergency, impairment or another factor was involved. No charges have been announced.

Investigation and fallout

Police have interviewed more than 30 witnesses and set up an online portal for anyone with video of the incident to submit it. That footage could help answer the open questions of speed, path and cause.

The city has canceled all events at the soccer complex until further notice.

The Kansas State High School Activities Association suspended play at its inaugural girls flag football state championship, which was taking place on an adjacent field at the complex. The association said games will not resume this weekend and that new game times will be announced later.

Wichita Mayor Lily Wu said on social media she was "heartbroken by reports of a tragic incident at Stryker Sports Complex," adding that her thoughts and prayers were with those affected, "especially the children and families involved."

"This is a tragedy," Moses said.

What comes next depends on the investigation. Police have asked the public for patience while they work to establish the cause. Any charging decision would follow that. The department has not yet released the names or further details of the victims beyond their ages and hometowns.