Senior college student Kiara Bowling was critically injured in the 𝔠r𝘢sh in Oakland, Calif, on Thursday, Aug.
The family of a is speaking out following the incident in California.
Kiara Bowling was struck by a Toyota sedan driven by two brothers, aged 4 and 7, while walking a friend’s dog on the sidewalk on 35th Avenue in Oakland on Thursday, Aug. 6, reported.
Bowling’s family told the outlet that she is fighting for her life, having suffered a brain bleed and facial fractures in the incident. She is currently being treated at Highland Hospital and will need multiple surgeries.
“I just found out she has blood on her brain,” Bowling’s cousin, Princess Davis, told ABC7 Eyewitness News. “She has to probably get two surgeries.”
Bowling is in her early 30s and a final-year student at California State University East Bay, according to the outlet. She was recently picked as Miss California Regency International 2026 and she had returned to Oakland after completing a summer program at Yale for her J.D.
“She went to school, she was out helping the community, she is a model. She does a lot for this community. My cousin didn’t deserve this. I hate that this happened to her,” said Davis.
The collision occurred several blocks from the children’s home at around 9:30 a.m. local time. The Toyota sideswiped another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction and lost control, striking Bowling near 35th Avenue and Mangels Avenue, the Oakland police previously told PEOPLE.
Bowling and the two children driving the vehicle were transported to the hospital, the police said, adding that the children’s parents are cooperating with the investigation.
The boys’ parents told ABC7 Eyewitness News that the children got their keys and drove away in the car just after 9 a.m. Their dad, who is an Uber driver, had returned home from work around 6 a.m.
The boys’ uncle, Ali, said the 7-year-old broke both legs and the 4-year-old sustained a concussion.
“The older one was looking for his little brother. Asking about his little brother, [saying]. ‘Where’s my little brother? Is he okay?’,” he told ABC7 Eyewitness News. “[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.”
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Witness Lavelle Shah-Marquis told ABC7 Eyewitness News, “I think these parents need to be held responsible and that was my main concern was these parents need to be held responsible. This is ridiculous.”
Bowling has “a long and difficult road ahead” in recovery following the incident, a family friend said on .
The fundraiser has raised over $17,000 so far to help cover Bowling’s medical medical expenses, with a goal of $22,000.
PEOPLE has reached out to the Oakland police for comment.
