What began as a soccer game on a sunny Saturday in Wichita, Kansas, for children whose loved ones watched on the sidelines ended in tragedy when a mother drove onto the field, striking multiple people and killing a 6-year-old boy and a man. The driver, a 34-year-old woman whose child was playing soccer on a different field, barreled through the Stryker Sports Complex around 3:25 p.m. local time, said Aaron Moses of the Wichita Police Department. She is in custody and “has been cooperative” in the investigation, he said. Police are still working to determine more about what happened and why, and whether charges will be filed. Two “juveniles” were with the mother in the truck, he said. Eleven people were injured, including five children. They had injuries ranging from bruises to extremely severe injuries, though none appeared to be life-threatening, police said. The boy and 35-year-old man killed have not been identified. “This is a tragedy,” Moses told reporters outside the complex. First responders arrived on site to find community members rendering medical aid to those who were injured, Moses said. “The community was very impressive when our firefighters arrived,” Wichita Fire Chief Michael Mire said. “They didn’t begin patient care, they continued patient care, taking charge of what the community had already begun providing to those who were injured.” ‘It was pure panic’ A lot of families and children were on the field when the truck drove through, witnesses said. An attendee told CNN affiliate KWCH he was with his family when a black pickup truck jumped the curb and drove onto the field. Two people also described hearing a loud noise at the time. Vanessa Trammell was at her 13-year-old son’s soccer game nearby when she saw the truck drive across the neighboring field, striking several people, she told CNN. “We thought it was going to stop but then it like kept going,” she said. Her son’s soccer game had just ended, and the team was in a huddle on the sidelines of the field when she said the truck drove near the sidelines. The incident drew a large law enforcement response to the soccer field, which is fenced off and has a concrete runway leading to a parking lot, KWCH reported. It’s not yet clear how the vehicle breached the gate or how fast it was driving, Moses said. The driver and two juveniles were still with the vehicle when officers and paramedics arrived, Moses said. Children were gathered in their red sports uniforms by emergency vehicles and yellow police tape at the scene, video shows. The incident shocked families and children at the field as dozens of first responders swarmed the scene. “It was pure panic,” Trammell said. “I didn’t know what was going on – just that people were being hit. I’m pretty sure I probably screamed, but, absolutely, just pure panic was going through me.” Younger children play at the soccer fields in the complex, including the one where the truck came barreling through, Trammell said. “I don’t know if people tried to stop it or what happened. I was a little more focused on the chaos and trying to find my son first,” Trammell said, adding her son’s coach then ran towards the area to help victims before the paramedics arrived on site. All events at Stryker Sports Complex have been canceled until further notice, the facility said. “We ask that you keep all individuals and families affected in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” the statement said. The complex hosts recreational and competitive youth soccer leagues for players ranging from under-5 age groups through high school, as well as adult leagues, according to its website. It has 11 outdoor turf fields and an indoor facility. Flag football state championship games scheduled at an adjacent field have also been suspended as police probe the scene, the Kansas State High School Activities Association said in a statement. Investigators have interviewed over 30 witnesses at the scene and others over the phone, Moses said, and have asked for the public’s help as they search for video from the sports complex. Wichita Mayor Lily Wu said she’s “heartbroken” and advised people to avoid the area. “Families came to Stryker Sports Complex to enjoy a Saturday afternoon watching their children play soccer,” Wu said at a news conference Saturday night. “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,” the mayor continued. This story has been updated with additional information.
