Police said a stolen Toyota struck her while she was walking a friend's dog
August 06, 2026 | Alameda, CA
What happened in the crash?
A young woman recently selected as Miss California Regency International 2026 is fighting for her life after being struck by a vehicle driven by two juvenile brothers who stole their parents' vehicle while they slept Thursday in Oakland.
Kiara Bowling suffered injuries after a white sedan allegedly speeding along 35th Avenue struck her while she was walking a friend's dog in Oakland.
A GoFundMe page was created by Kiara Bowling’s family to help cover her medical expenses.
Early reports indicate Bowling, who is in her early 30s, was crossing a street while walking a friend's dog when she was hit by a white sedan that came speeding down 35th Avenue. The vehicle driven by 7- and 4-year-old brothers struck Bowling from behind, resulting in multiple injuries, including a brain bleed and facial fractures. She is currently undergoing multiple surgeries. The boys were also transported to a hospital for treatment.
The brothers allegedly stole their parents’ Toyota while they slept and drove several blocks before striking the victim, Oakland police said.
The crash remains under investigation.
Key details at a glance
- Date: Aug. 6
- Location: 35th Avenue, Oakland, CA
- Vehicle: White Toyota sedan stolen from parents
- Driver ages: 7 and 4
- Victim injuries: Brain bleed, facial fractures
- Status: Victim undergoing multiple surgeries
Why do these accidents happen?
Vulnerable road users such as pedestrians face danger every day. While all of us need to exercise care, the burden of responsibility falls mainly on drivers.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2021, there were an estimated 60,577 pedestrians injured in traffic crashes, an 11-percent increase from 54,771 pedestrians injured in 2020.
| Year | Pedestrian Injuries | Change |
|---|
| 2020 | 54,771 | Not Available |
| 2021 | 60,577 | +11% |
Legal Insights
In cases such as this, having the proper resources is extremely important to investigate a pedestrian accident case and prove negligence.
“In most instances, pedestrians possess the right-of-way when crossing an intersection or a street, regardless if they are in a marked crosswalk. A driver must yield to any pedestrian.”
— Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal
Takeaways
- Right-of-way rules protect pedestrians in most crossing situations
- Thorough investigation helps establish driver responsibility
- Documentation supports recovery for medical costs and other losses
Injured victims involved in a collision often seek a personal injury claim to cover the cost of medical bills, future medical care, loss of income, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering.
“Insurance companies can be notoriously unconcerned with mounting expenses that an injured party may accrue. An attorney can help. We protect the victims of these tragedies daily, forcing the insurance companies to pay for their mistakes.”
— Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal
Takeaways
- Claims address both immediate and long-term financial impacts
- Legal support helps counter insurance company practices
- Recovery can include multiple categories of damages
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).