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In Oakland, California, a harrowing incident unfolded Thursday morning when two young brothers, both under the age of 10, took a vehicle without permission and became involved in a serious crash that left a pedestrian critically injured.
Authorities reported the accident occurred around 9:30 a.m. near a crosswalk where a woman in her 30s was walking her dog. According to police, the younger driver, just 7 years old, was behind the wheel when the vehicle first struck another car, then lost control and collided with the pedestrian before crashing into a retaining wall.
Surveillance footage captured the white vehicle sideswiping a car traveling in the opposite lane before speeding toward the crosswalk. The impact seriously injured the woman, who was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
Both boys were also taken to a local hospital and are currently in stable condition. The 7-year-old suffered a broken leg, while his 4-year-old brother sustained a concussion, a family member shared with local news outlet KGO.
Witness Lavelle Shah-Marquis described the scene, noting that the airbags deployed with such force that one of the boys was thrown backward. “These kids were so small,” he said, adding that the pedestrian appeared lifeless at the scene.
The boys’ parents were reportedly asleep at home when the children took the car keys. Oakland police confirmed that the parents have been contacted and are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of children accessing vehicles without supervision and the devastating consequences that can result.