A California beauty queen is fighting for her life after police say two young brothers — just 6 and 4 years old — got behind the wheel of their parents’ car and slammed into her while she was walking a dog.
Kiara Darvonne Bowling, 31, suffered multiple brain bleeds and facial fractures in the horrifying Oakland crash and remains hospitalized at Highland Hospital as her devastated family waits for signs of recovery.
“She’s currently still fighting extremely hard for her life,” Bowling’s sister, Christina Blackmon, told KTVU. “She is currently suffering from multiple brain bleeds and facial fractures. We’re just hoping for a true speedy recovery.”
The terrifying crash unfolded Thursday as Bowling was walking a friend’s emotional support dog, Grizzly, through a crosswalk.
Police said the two brothers somehow got access to their parents’ vehicle and began driving at a “high rate of speed.”
According to investigators, the car sideswiped another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction before striking Bowling and careening into a home on the corner.
One witness told KRON4 that the children appeared to be working together to control the vehicle, with one boy handling the steering wheel while the other operated the gas and brake pedals.
The impact left the white car badly mangled on the sidewalk near a destroyed fence.
“You didn’t hear her scream,” a witness said of Bowling. “You didn’t hear any of the kids make any noises. The only sound that you heard was the crash.”
Bowling was rushed to Highland Hospital with devastating injuries.
Her family said there has been at least one encouraging development: She has begun responding to basic commands.
Still, relatives say the former pageant queen faces what could be an extraordinarily difficult and lengthy recovery.
A GoFundMe created to help cover her medical expenses had raised more than $31,000 toward a $50,000 goal as of Saturday.
“The injuries from that incident have created a long and difficult road ahead,” the fundraiser states. “Kiara is facing a lifelong recovery and will need continued care far beyond the immediate aftermath of the accident.”
Bowling was crowned Ms. Greater Bay Area at the California Regency International Pageant last year.
She was also in her final semester at California State University, East Bay and hoped to pursue a career in law.
Grizzly was also injured in the crash and fled the scene afterward. The dog was later found and taken to a veterinarian for treatment.
The two young brothers survived the wreck and were listed in stable condition.
Their uncle told KTVU that the children allegedly took the car keys while their parents were sleeping. He said the 6-year-old suffered a broken leg, while his 4-year-old brother suffered a concussion.
Their parents are reportedly cooperating with police as authorities investigate exactly how the children were able to take the vehicle.
Despite the shocking circumstances and Bowling’s life-threatening injuries, her family said they do not blame the boys.
“There is no ill will,” Blackmon said. “We all know children do not know how to operate a vehicle.”
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