Student suffers severe brain damage after being hit by car driven by kids aged seven and four

A California student has been left with severe, life-changing injuries after being hit by a car which was being driven by two young brothers aged seven and four.

Kiara Bowling, 31, who is a senior at California State University, was walking a friend’s dog along the pavement in Oakland, California, when she was struck by a Toyota sedan on 6th August, KTVU reports.

Surveillance footage showed she was crossing the road when the car came speeding at her from behind, driven by the two children. Their parents were sleeping when the boys allegedly stole their keys and drove away, at around 9.30am.

Credit: Facebook

Bowling is being treated at Highland Hospital with critical injuries. Her cousin Princess Davis told ABC7 Eyewitness News: “I just found out she has blood on her brain. She has to probably get two surgeries.”

The two children driving the vehicle were also taken to the hospital with injuries. Their uncle Ali told ABC7 that the seven-year-old broke both legs, while the four-year-old got a concussion. The brothers’ parents are reportedly cooperating with the investigation.

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“The older one was looking for his little brother. Asking about his little brother, [saying]. ‘Where’s my little brother? Is he okay?’,” he said. “[The boys’ dad is 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.”

Credit: Facebook

Bowling’s family have set up a GoFundMe, which has already raised $82,000 of their $90,000 goal, to help fund her ongoing recovery.

“Kiara was hit by a vehicle being driven by youth under 10 years old, and the injuries from that incident have created a long and difficult road ahead,” her family said. “This fundraiser is being created to help Kiara through the challenges that follow such a traumatic event and to make sure support is there during this painful and uncertain time.”

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