Child, adult killed, 11 hospitalized after vehicle drives onto soccer field at Kansas sports complex

Wichita Police confirmed that a 6-year-old child and a 35-year-old adult, both from McPherson, Kansas, were killed Saturday when a truck drove onto an active soccer field at the Stryker Sports Complex.  

What we know:

Wichita Police Capt. Aaron Moses said the truck remained at the scene and the driver, a 34-year-old woman from Garden City, was taken into police custody. Two children were in the truck with her, but police declined to say where they were taken after the incident. The driver is believed to have another child who was playing soccer at the facility, but not on the field where the incident occurred.

Sedgwick County dispatchers began receiving multiple 911 calls about the situation at around 3:25 p.m., Moses said. When first responders arrived, Moses said they saw community members giving medical aid to the victims. 

The two fatalities were confirmed at the scene, he said. Though both victims were from McPherson, they were not related to one another, he said. 

Police said 11 people, ranging in age from 5 to 68 years old, were taken to area hospitals. Ten of the 11 had traumatic injuries, but as of Saturday night, those injuries were believed to be non-life-threatening. 

What they're saying:

"Today is a heartbreaking day for Wichita," Mayor Lilu Wu said. "Families came to Stryker Sports Complex to enjoy a Saturday afternoon watching their children play soccer. No one could have imagined the tragedy that would unfold. My heart breaks for the families who have lost loved ones, especially the family grieving the loss of a child. My thoughts and prayers are also with those who were injured and everyone who witnessed this terrible tragedy."

Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan expressed sympathy for the families who lost loved ones and to the victims who are still struggling and their families as well as the first responders. 

"But I also want to take a moment to recognize the civilians that were here that sprang into action so quickly and gave life-saving assistance until the arrival of first responders. It was truly amazing, but I think it's indicative of the Wichita community," he said.

Moses told reporters that investigators have already interview over 30 witnesses as of Saturday evening. 

"We have a really good idea of what happened. What we're working to do now is do the investigation to determine how it happened and why," he said. "We know people want the answers to those questions. We also need to determine the answer to those questions, and that's why our investigators are working on that right now."

Police posted on their Facebook page that they are looking for any photos or videos anyone at the game may have taken as they investigate what happened.

What we don't know:

Authorities have not yet released the names of the two people killed or the driver of the truck. 

Moses, when asked if the driver was under arrest, said she was "in custody." Police have not specified what charges might be filed or a possible motive for the woman to have driven the truck onto the field.  

 

Crime and Public Safety