On Saturday, a black pickup truck entered the active soccer field at the Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, killing two local residents—six‑year‑old Cole Adrian and 35‑year‑old Nicholas Schafer, both from McPherson. Several other children and families were injured.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan said officers interviewed the driver shortly after the crash and released her pending the results of toxicology testing and a mechanical examination of the vehicle. “Based on the information available Sunday morning, and after consultation with the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, investigators did not have probable cause to arrest the driver,” the department stated.
The driver, who holds a valid driver’s license and has no outstanding warrants, remained at the scene and cooperated fully with investigators. Police have spoken with nearly 50 witnesses and continue to gather statements.
Technical Examination and Transparency Calls
Investigators are working with the Regional Forensic Science Center to download data from the truck’s black‑box recorder. Former Florida sheriff’s detective Jamie Copenhaver, who served on an FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, emphasized the importance of this data, saying it should quickly reveal speed, braking patterns, and any mechanical failures that may have contributed to the crash.
Copenhaver also urged law enforcement to release information about the driver’s physical health at the time of the incident to prevent unfounded conspiracy theories. He noted that alcohol‑related DUI results typically return within a day, while testing for other substances or prescription medications can take longer.
Addressing Rumors
The department refuted social‑media rumors linking the driver to law‑enforcement personnel, stating that the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office has publicly denied any involvement. “We ask everyone to be responsible with what they share, consider the harm misinformation can cause and allow investigators to do their work based on facts and evidence, not speculation,” the department said.
Chief Sullivan acknowledged that the decision to release the driver may be unpopular, but affirmed his oath to uphold Kansas law and the U.S. Constitution. “We recognize that the decision the law and Constitution required us to make may not be popular,” he said.
Next Steps
Police will continue to analyze toxicology results, mechanical data, and witness statements. The driver’s release does not constitute a final determination on whether criminal charges are appropriate. Authorities have asked the public to refrain from spreading unverified information while the investigation proceeds.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
