The driver of a pickup truck that plowed onto a Kansas soccer field, killing a young boy and a man, has been released without charges as investigators work to determine what turned a Saturday afternoon of youth sports into tragedy.
Wichita police announced Sunday that the 34-year-old woman was released pending toxicology results and a mechanical examination of her Chevrolet pickup. Authorities also identified those killed as Cole Adrian, 6, and Nicholas Schafer, 35, both of McPherson, Kansas. They were not related.
Five children were among the 10 people injured when the truck drove from a parking space onto a field at Stryker Sports Complex at about 3:25 p.m. Saturday, police said.
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The woman, who was initially taken into custody, had two of her children inside the pickup. Another of her children was playing soccer on a different field at the complex.
Her release followed interviews with more than 30 witnesses, including the children inside the truck, and consultation with the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, according to police.
Investigators have not determined what caused the deadly crash. Authorities have not confirmed whether it was intentional or whether a medical emergency, impairment or another factor was involved.
The district attorney’s office told Fox News Digital that police are expected to make an initial case presentation to District Attorney Marc Bennett early this week.
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“Following that initial case review, our office will share information as appropriate,” the office said.
The crash sent emergency crews racing to the sports complex in northeast Wichita, where bystanders had already stepped forward to help the injured. Adrian and Schafer died on the field despite lifesaving efforts.
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Ten people were taken to Ascension Via Christi and Wesley Medical Center with injuries police described Sunday as noncritical. The injured children included a 5-year-old girl, a 5-year-old boy, two 8-year-old boys and a 9-year-old girl.
The five injured adults ranged in age from 28 to 68. An additional woman, 61, was hospitalized for medical complications unrelated to traumatic injuries, bringing the total number transported to 11.
Sporting Wichita Academy said the tragedy had shaken a soccer community built around families and teammates, thanking first responders, medical workers and bystanders who stepped in to help.
“Soccer is more than a game. It is a community. It is families in the stands, teammates standing beside one another, and people who come together through a shared love of the game,” the academy wrote on Facebook. “Today, that community is hurting, and we must lean on one another more than ever.”
As investigators search for answers, a restaurant is stepping in to help grieving families and those with loved ones in the hospital.
Meddys pledged to donate 20% of all revenue from its Wichita and Salina locations from Oct. 18 through Oct. 24 to families affected by the tragedy.
The business also offered free meals to the immediate families of those injured for as long as their loved ones remain hospitalized.
“With so much to carry right now, figuring out your next meal should not have to be one more worry,” Meddys wrote on Facebook.
The restaurant partnered with local nonprofit Kingdom Athletics Mission to receive and distribute donations to the affected McPherson families after people outside the area asked how they could help. Meddys said the nonprofit would manage both GoFundMe donations and the business’ contributions.
“Wichita is our home. These are our neighbors. In moments like this, we take care of one another,” the business wrote.
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Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan also offered condolences to the families Sunday.
“What should have been a day of children playing soccer and families spending time together ended in tragedy,” he said. “We are also thinking about those who were injured, their loved ones and everyone who witnessed what happened. We know this tragedy has affected many people throughout our community, and we want those families to know they are not alone.”
The deadly crash also halted the Kansas State High School Activities Association’s inaugural girls flag football state championship, which was taking place on an adjacent field. The association suspended play and said games would not resume that weekend.
At Saturday’s news conference, Wichita Police Capt. Aaron Moses said the driver had a valid license, no outstanding arrest warrants and was cooperating with investigators.
Sullivan underscored the unanswered question confronting investigators.
“We know what happened, but now we’re working very hard to find out why it happened,” he said Saturday.
Police are asking anyone with information about the crash to call investigators at 316-268-4407. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.
Fox News Digital’s Brittany Miller and Michael Sinkewicz contributed to this report.
