Two people were killed on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at a soccer field in Wichita, Kansas, after a woman drove her vehicle onto the field with dozens of parents and young players. Police took the 34-year-old driver into custody, and they are investigating the incident.

Soccer Game Ends in Tragedy

On Saturday afternoon, around 3:25 p.m. local time, a children’s soccer game in Wichita was fatally interrupted by a woman who drove her vehicle through the field. 6-year-old Cole Adrian and 35-year-old Nicholas Schafer were killed, pronounced dead at the scene, and at least 11 others, ages ranging from 5 to 68, were injured and taken to the hospital for treatment.

Emergency services quickly responded to reports of a “vehicle that had driven through a youth soccer game” at Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, according to the city’s Police Captain Aaron Moses.

“Officers and paramedics arrived [at the] scene on a field on the west end of the complex where they saw community members and citizens rendering medical aid to those who were injured,” Moses said. “They also located a truck on the west side of the field. The driver was still with the vehicle, along with two juveniles.”

Authorities believe that the driver of the vehicle, a woman from Garden City, had a child who was playing soccer at the sports complex, but not at the time of the incident, as two juveniles were found in her car afterward.

Wichita Police Continue Their Investigation

The woman “was subsequently released pending the results of toxicology testing and a mechanical examination of the vehicle.” The Wichita Police Department (WPD) added, “No charges have been filed at this time, and investigators continue working to determine the circumstances that led to the crash.”

Among those injured, who were transported to local hospitals, are a 5-year-old girl and boy, two 8-year-old boys, a 9-year-old girl, three women, and two men aged between 28 and 68. The Stryker Sports Complex posted a statement on Facebook asking people to “avoid the complex to allow emergency personnel to carry out their work.”

“Due to a serious incident at Stryker Sports Complex, all events have been canceled until further notice,” the statement said. “We ask that you keep all individuals and families affected in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Authorities are still investigating the incident and have asked the public to come forward with any videos that may assist in determining what happened and what led to this unforeseeable tragedy. “We’re still working to determine how and why this happened,” Moses said without releasing the identity of the female driver.

Speculations of The Driver’s Identity

However, reports have surfaced on social media that the driver was a sheriff’s deputy. The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office posted on its Facebook page Sunday night to clarify the false information circulating.

“We want to make it clear that Deputy Rachel Taylor was not the driver of the vehicle involved in this incident. Claims suggesting otherwise are false. We recognize the significant public concern surrounding this tragedy. However, spreading unverified information, making assumptions, or publicly identifying individuals without factual confirmation is irresponsible and can cause additional harm to those already affected by this heartbreaking situation,” the post said.

“We strongly urge community members to refrain from speculation, sharing misinformation, or drawing conclusions while the investigation remains ongoing.”

Hearts With The Community

“Our hearts are with the families of Adrian and Nicholas as they face an unimaginable loss. What should have been a day of children playing soccer and families spending time together ended in tragedy,” Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan 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. Our officers and investigators will continue working to understand exactly what happened.”

Anyone with information about the crash is encouraged to contact the Wichita Police Department investigators at 316-268-4407. Anonymous tips can also be provided through Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.