Cole Adrian, six, and Nicholas Schafer, 35, both from McPherson, Kansas, were killed on Saturday afternoon at the Stryker Sports Complex in east Wichita when a pickup truck drove across a field in the middle of a youth game. The two were unrelated, and ten other people were taken to a hospital.
Those injured ranged in age from five to 68. All were expected to survive, with injuries described by police as non-critical and ranging from bruises to serious trauma. A separate 61-year-old woman was taken from the scene with unrelated medical complications.
The driver, a 34-year-old woman from Garden City, Kansas, had two of her own children with her in the pickup. She also had another child playing in a different match on another pitch at the complex. Police said she was cooperative at the scene and was taken into custody before being released after officers consulted the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.
Sullivan: ‘A day that ended in tragedy’
Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan addressed the deaths at a news conference.
“What should have been a day of children playing soccer and families spending time together ended in tragedy,” he told reporters.
Sullivan said the driver had been “subsequently released pending the results of toxicology testing and a mechanical examination of the vehicle”. No formal charges have been filed. Investigators have not publicly identified the driver and have not said whether they believe the act was intentional.
Mayor Lily Wu, speaking the same day, called it a “heartbreaking day for Wichita”.
“Families came to Stryker Soccer Complex to enjoy a Saturday afternoon watching their children play soccer,” she said.
Read also: Archer born without arms matches the compound para archery world record in Nagoya
Police ask for phone footage
The pickup had been parked near the fields before it moved, with preliminary findings pointing to the driver pulling out of a parking space and then driving through the game. Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses asked the public for phone video and photos from the complex, including material that might appear unrelated.
“Even if you don’t think it is related to the incident, please share it with us,” Moses said.
David Griekspoor, whose nephew was at the complex, told reporters at the scene what he had taken in.
“The families that were on that field… it was just a hard sight to see,” he said.
Read also: Real Madrid legend loses patience with ongoing controversy: ‘I am extremely tired of all this’
Complex suspends all events
The complex has suspended all events until further notice. US Soccer, the sport’s governing body in the country, said in a statement it was “heartbroken” by what happened and pledged support for the affected community. Wichita police have said the toxicology panel on the driver and the mechanical check of the Chevrolet will inform the decision on whether charges follow.
Read also: Ferrari keeps Alba Larsen for 2027 as F1 Academy’s two-season ceiling bends for the first time
