A tragic incident at the Stryker Sports Complex in east Wichita on Saturday afternoon resulted in two deaths and 11 injuries. At approximately 3:25 p.m., a Chevrolet pickup truck drove from a parking area onto a soccer field where youth games were being played.
Authorities identified the victims as 6-year-old Cole Adrian and 35-year-old Nicholas Schafer, both of McPherson, Kansas. The two were not related and died at the scene, despite immediate lifesaving efforts from bystanders and emergency responders.
Investigation Into the Crash
The driver, a 34-year-old woman, had two of her children in the vehicle during the crash, and a third child was playing on a different field at the complex. She was initially taken into custody but has since been released pending further investigation.
Wichita police officials released the driver after interviewing more than 30 witnesses and consulting with the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. Investigators are currently awaiting toxicology results and a mechanical inspection of the truck to determine why it entered the playing field.
Impact on the Community
Eleven other people-five children and six adults-sustained non-critical injuries and were transported to Ascension Via Christi and Wesley Medical Center. The tragedy forced the immediate suspension of the Kansas State High School Activities Association’s inaugural girls flag football state championship, which was taking place on an adjacent field.
Support for Affected Families
“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,” Sporting Wichita Academy stated.
Local organizations are mobilizing to support the victims’ families. The restaurant group Meddys is donating 20% of its revenue from Wichita and Salina locations through October 24 to help those affected and is providing free meals to the families of the injured. These funds are being managed by the nonprofit Kingdom Athletics Mission.
How to Provide Information
Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan expressed his condolences to the community and stated that authorities are working to determine the cause of the incident. Law enforcement is urging anyone with information to come forward.
- Direct Tips: Contact the Wichita Police Department at 316-268-4407.
- Anonymous Tips: Contact Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.
