A woman in her early 30s is critically injured after being struck by a car in East Oakland that local authorities say was being driven by two children who took their parents’ vehicle, multiple Bay Area outlets reported.
- Two boys under 10 reportedly took their parents’ car in East Oakland and struck a 31-year-old woman walking a dog; she is in critical condition.
- Local reports say the boys obtained keys while parents slept; police are questioning the parents and investigating.
- California law generally presumes children under 12 cannot form criminal intent; legal scrutiny may focus on the parents rather than the children.
What happened
Local news organizations report that the crash occurred Thursday morning on 35th Avenue near Mangels Avenue, several blocks from the boys’ home. Oakland police and surveillance footage cited by reporters show a white Toyota sedan traveling north on 35th Avenue that sideswiped a southbound vehicle and then collided with a pedestrian who was walking a friend’s dog.
Sources differ slightly on exact timing: KRON4 reports the crash happened around 9:30 a.m., while ABC7 reported it occurred just after 9 a.m. Witnesses and video reviewed by reporters show the boys lying on the sidewalk after the collision and the pedestrian being rushed to a hospital.
Who was involved
Local outlets identify the pedestrian as Kiara Darvonne Bowling, 31. Her family told ABC7 and KTVU she is at Highland Hospital with multiple brain bleeds and facial fractures and was preparing for multiple surgeries. KTVU and ABC7 describe Bowling as a student at California State University, East Bay and active in local pageants; her family has set up a GoFundMe to help cover medical expenses, according to those reports.
Reports describe the vehicle occupants as two brothers under age 10. Accounts vary slightly on the children’s ages: ABC7 and KRON4 quoted ages as 7 and 4 or roughly 6 and 4; KTVU reported the boys as about 6 and 4. Local outlets say both children were taken to a pediatric hospital with injuries: ABC7 and KRON4 report the older boy suffered broken legs and the younger a concussion; ABC7 reported both were at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and KTVU said they were in stable condition.
How the children got the car
Multiple reports say the boys accessed the car while their parents were asleep. KTVU quoted a source close to the boys’ family saying the older child found car keys in his father’s pockets, then woke his younger brother and used a kitchen chair to unlatch the front door before getting into the Toyota. ABC7 likewise reported the parents told police they were sleeping and that the boys somehow obtained the keys. Local outlets say the family’s vehicle is used by a parent who works as an Uber driver.
Police and legal context
Oakland police told reporters they are questioning the parents and that the family is cooperating with the investigation. Authorities have not announced any criminal charges publicly. Legal analysts cited by ABC7 and KTVU noted that California law generally presumes children under 12 cannot form criminal intent, which makes prosecution of the boys unlikely; however, analysts said parents could face civil liability or investigation for potential neglect.
Former prosecutor Steven Clark, quoted by ABC7, described the situation as highly unusual and said the law lacks a simple remedy for such cases. KTVU’s legal analyst Michael Cardoza also said the boys are unlikely to face charges but that legal scrutiny of the parents remains possible.
Community reaction and family statements
Bowling’s family has asked for privacy and prayers as she undergoes treatment. ABC7 published comments from relatives saying doctors were planning multiple surgeries and that the family hoped for recovery. KTVU reported that Bowling’s sister said the family harbors “no ill will” toward the children, adding the family recognizes that very young children do not understand the consequences of operating a vehicle.
Witnesses at the scene called the crash ‘‘bad’’ and expressed concern. One witness told ABC7 the incident raised questions about parental supervision; that sentiment was echoed in local reporting about potential legal consequences for the parents.
Unresolved points and safety implications
Several factual details remain unconfirmed in public reports: the precise timeline of the boys’ access to the keys, whether alcohol or drugs played any role in parental impairment, and whether any mechanical or safety features of the Toyota contributed to its being started by very young children. KRON4 explicitly noted police said it was unknown if alcohol or drugs were involved; ABC7 reported only that police were investigating and questioning the parents.
The incident highlights recurring safety questions for families who keep vehicles with keys in reach of young children and for communities about pedestrian safety. Experts quoted in local coverage recommended counseling for the children to avoid long-term psychological harm; ABC7 cited a child psychiatrist who warned of lifelong shame if children are blamed rather than supported.
Timeline (reported)
- Early morning: Parents reportedly asleep at home; one parent had returned from working early (reported by ABC7).
- Shortly after 9 a.m. (reports vary between roughly 9:00–9:30 a.m.): Two boys take a family Toyota and drive onto 35th Avenue in East Oakland (KRON4, ABC7, KTVU).
- During the drive: The Toyota sideswipes a southbound vehicle and then strikes a pedestrian walking a dog near Mangels Avenue (local surveillance video and witness accounts reported by outlets).
- After the crash: The pedestrian is transported to Highland Hospital in critical condition; the two boys are taken to a pediatric hospital with injuries (ABC7, KTVU, KRON4).
Practical takeaways for readers
- Store keys and key fobs out of reach and out of sight of children; consider disabled key fob features or physical removal of keys when small children are present, especially if a vehicle is used for ride-hailing work or similarly frequent entry and exit.
- Check vehicle settings: some modern cars can be started without a traditional key if the key fob is inside; parents should review their specific vehicle manuals for child-safety guidance.
- Supervision and emergency planning: caregivers should review household routines and secure doors/locks to make unintended vehicle access harder for young children.
What reporters are still seeking
News organizations covering the story said they are awaiting official statements from the Oakland Police Department and any formal updates on the medical condition of the pedestrian and the children. They are also looking for clarification about the parents’ level of supervision and whether any charges or civil actions will follow.
Reporting for this article is based on local coverage by ABC7, KTVU, KRON4 and KRON’s summaries of police statements and family interviews; direct police statements and official court or hospital records were not released at the time of publication.