US2 min(s) read
Published 14:58 09 Aug 2026 GMT
A California beauty queen has been left fighting for her life after being hit by a car driven by two brothers, just four and six years old.
The incident occurred on Thursday, after the two brothers stole the keys to their parents' car while they were asleep.
Though both children escaped the crash with non-life threatening injuries, a woman they hit with the car is fighting for her life.
She was walking a friend's dog in California when the crash occurred.
The beauty queen left fighting for her life after the car crash has been named as Kiara Darvonne Bowling, 31.
Last year, Bowling was named Ms. Greater Bay Area at the California Regency International Pageant.
She was also studying at California State University, East Bay, with hopes of starting a law career. At the time of the crash, she was heading into her last semester.
Following the crash, Bowling suffered multiple brain injuries and remains in the hospital.
Her family says her condition right now is "dire."
Talking to KTVU, her sister Christina Blackmon said: "She’s currently still fighting extremely hard for her life.
"She is currently suffering from multiple brain bleeds and facial fractures. We’re just hoping for a true speedy recovery."
In one sign of good news, Bowling is now apparently able to respond to basic commands whilst hospitalized, her family said.
According to police, the crash was caused when two brothers - just four and six years old - got behind the wheel of their parents car, after managing to steal the keys whilst they slept.
They drove at a "high speed" before sideswiping a vehicle coming in the opposite direction.
They went on to hit a woman, now identified as Bowling, and careened to a stop by a home on the corner.
One witness told the New York Post that one of the brothers appeared to be driving the steering wheel of the car, and the other working the gas.
“You didn’t hear her scream,” the witness said. “You didn’t hear any of the kids make any noises. The only sound that you heard was the crash.”
Bowling was walking an emotional support dog named Grizzly who was injured in the crash but ran off. Thankfully, he was found and taken to a vet for care.
The two brothers who stole the car are said to be in a stable condition, the six-year old broke his leg and the four-year old suffered a concussion.
Their parents are cooperating with the investigation.
