Oakland woman recovers after near-fatal crash involving child drivers

Kiara Bowling, a 31-year-old woman, is beginning to relearn how to walk and speak one month after a near-fatal accident in Oakland, California. Bowling suffered a traumatic brain injury after being struck from behind while walking a dog on a sidewalk.

The incident occurred when two young brothers, aged 7 and 4, took their parents' car keys while the adults were asleep and drove the vehicle. At the scene, paramedics found Bowling without a pulse.

Before the crash, Bowling was a pre-law student in her final semester at Cal State East Bay and had been selected as Miss California Regency International 2026. She is currently undergoing rehabilitation to regain basic motor and communication skills.