The family of a California woman critically injured after two young brothers allegedly took their parents’ car and crashed into her is speaking out as she fights for her life in the hospital.
Kiara Bowling was walking a friend’s dog along 35th Avenue in Oakland on Thursday, Aug. 6, when she was struck by a Toyota sedan being driven by two brothers, ages 4 and 7, according to local reports.
Bowling suffered devastating injuries in the crash, including a brain bleed and multiple facial fractures. She is being treated at Highland Hospital and is expected to undergo multiple surgeries.
“I just found out she has blood on her brain,” Bowling’s cousin, Princess Davis, told ABC7 Eyewitness News. “She has to probably get two surgeries.”
Bowling, who is in her early 30s, is a final-year student at California State University East Bay. She was also recently selected as Miss California Regency International 2026 and had returned to Oakland after completing a summer program at Yale related to her J.D. studies.
Her family described her as someone deeply involved in her community.
“She went to school, she was out helping the community, she is a model. She does a lot for this community. My cousin didn’t deserve this. I hate that this happened to her,” Davis said.
The crash happened at around 9:30 a.m., several blocks from the children’s home.
Oakland police said the Toyota sideswiped another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction before losing control and striking Bowling near 35th Avenue and Mangels Avenue.
Bowling and both children were taken to the hospital.
The boys’ parents are cooperating with investigators, police said.
According to the family, the children somehow got access to the car keys and drove away shortly after 9 a.m. Their father, who works as an Uber driver, had reportedly returned home from work around 6 a.m.
The boys’ uncle, Ali, said the 7-year-old suffered two broken legs while the 4-year-old sustained a concussion.
Even after being injured, the older boy was reportedly worried about his younger brother.
“The older one was looking for his little brother. Asking about his little brother, [saying], ‘Where’s my little brother? Is he okay?’” Ali told ABC7.
He said the boys’ father remains stunned over how they managed to get the keys.
“He’s like, ‘I don’t leave the keys around. I don’t know how they did that.’ But, you know, he’s very hurt. He’s still in shock,” Ali said.
The bizarre crash has also sparked anger from people who witnessed the aftermath.
“I think these parents need to be held responsible and that was my main concern,” witness Lavelle Shah-Marquis told ABC7. “These parents need to be held responsible. This is ridiculous.”
Meanwhile, Bowling’s loved ones say her recovery is only beginning.
A family friend wrote on a GoFundMe page that Bowling faces “a long and difficult road ahead” as she recovers from her injuries.
The fundraiser had raised more than $17,000 toward a $22,000 goal to help cover her medical expenses.
Police continue to investigate exactly how the two children managed to get behind the wheel and drive several blocks before the devastating crash.
Probably the parents were too busy scrolling.