Wichita gathered Wednesday evening at Stryker Sports Complex to mourn two people killed when a pickup truck drove onto a soccer field.
The public vigil, scheduled from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the on-site stadium, honored Cole Adrian, 6, and Nicholas Schafer, 35, both of McPherson, according to KWCH. Organizers asked attendees not to bring candles or open flames. Battery-operated candles and phone flashlights were allowed.
Counselors from Comcare of Sedgwick County were stationed inside the Ford building for anyone needing support, KSN reported. Wichita police were also present. The vigil was the only event at Stryker on Wednesday.
Adrian and Schafer died at the scene after the crash around 3:25 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. Ten other people, ranging in age from 5 to 68, were injured and hospitalized. The injured were expected to recover, the Wichita Eagle reported.
The driver, a 34-year-old Garden City woman, remained at the scene and cooperated with officers, police said. She was released without charges after consultation with the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office. Police said they did not have probable cause to arrest her but that her release did not represent a final determination on whether criminal charges are appropriate.
The DA's office said Oct. 20 that they had completed its initial review. There is no timeline for a charging decision.
Detectives have conducted nearly 50 interviews, with more ongoing, the Wichita Police Department said in a statement on X. Investigators are inspecting the truck, analyzing vehicle data and working with the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center while awaiting peer-reviewed toxicology results.
Police have not publicly identified the driver, consistent with department practice for people who have not been arrested or charged. The department also pushed back on false claims circulating online, saying the driver is not in the country illegally, has no documented criminal history and had a valid driver's license, KWCH reported.
The department urged the public to rely on official updates for confirmed information about the investigation.
The crash has drawn an outpouring of grief across the Kansas soccer community. Jerry Bowen, assistant coach for McPherson High School soccer, lost a friend in Schafer and a student in Adrian. Speaking at a gathering Oct. 19, Bowen told KSN that Adrian used to greet him with a fist bump before and after games and at practices
"Soccer is such a small community sport in Kansas. And so, everyone knows everyone. The outpouring of support and love has just blown me away," Bowen said at the Oct. 19 gathering.
Temporary barriers are now in place at Stryker, and city staff are researching permanent options. Wichita Parks and Recreation Director Reggie Davidson said Oct. 20 that engineers from the public works department are involved in evaluating crash ratings, cost and design before bringing a proposal to the city council.
In Hutchinson, the Crusaders FC soccer club also held a vigil Wednesday, dedicating its 6:30 p.m. match at Crusader Stadium in Buhler to the victims and collecting donations for affected families.
Residents seeking support can contact Comcare's Community Crisis Center at 316-660-7500.
