Truck plows onto Wichita youth soccer field, killing boy and man

A pickup truck drove onto a field during a youth soccer game at the Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, Kansas, killing a 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man and injuring 11 people. The 34-year-old driver is in custody.

A pickup truck drove onto a field during a youth soccer game at the Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, Kansas, on Saturday, killing two people and injuring 11 others. Sedgwick County dispatchers began receiving calls at around 3:25 p.m.

A 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man were pronounced dead at the scene. Both were from McPherson, Kansas, and were not related. Ten people were taken to hospitals with traumatic injuries ranging from minor bruises to extremely serious, though police said none appeared life-threatening. Five of the injured were children: two 5-year-olds, two 8-year-olds and a 9-year-old girl. A 61-year-old woman was also taken to a hospital for a nontraumatic medical issue.

Driver in custody

Police vehicles and the pickup truck on the soccer field

A 34-year-old woman was taken into custody and is cooperating with the investigation. Police believe she had a child playing soccer at the complex that day, though not on the field where the crash happened. Two juveniles were inside the vehicle. Police said the driver has a valid license and no outstanding warrants, and no charges have been announced.

Authorities have not said whether the crash was intentional or whether a medical emergency, impairment or another factor was involved. Investigators have interviewed more than 30 witnesses and are reviewing videos and photos, and they asked the public to share any footage.

“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 said, praising bystanders who rushed to help the injured before first responders arrived as “truly amazing.” Capt. Aaron Moses called it “a tragedy.”

“A heartbreaking day for Wichita”

A police vehicle at the cordoned-off soccer complex in Wichita

“Today is a heartbreaking day for Wichita,” Mayor Lily Wu said. “No one could have imagined the tragedy that would unfold.” The city canceled all events at the complex until further notice, and the Kansas State High School Activities Association suspended its inaugural girls flag football state championship, which was being played on an adjacent field.

Truck plows onto Wichita youth soccer field, killing boy and man