California Woman Struck by a Stolen Car Driven by Brothers Ages 4 and 7

A woman in California is relearning to walk and other basic motor functions after a devastating car accident caused by two young boys who allegedly stole their parents’ car.

Kiara Bowling was walking a friend’s dog about one month ago when she was hit from behind by a car driven by two brothers, ages 7 and 4. According to KGO, the boys took their parents’ keys while they were asleep and decided to go for a joy ride that ended in tragedy.

The outlet reports that, when paramedics arrived on the scene, Bowling was lying on the sidewalk without a pulse.

“It has turned really the family’s life upside down,” her aunt, Karon Markham, told KGO. “She doesn’t say much about the hospital itself. She knows she was injured. And I know it’s hard on her because she’s used to living her best life.”

At the time of the accident, Bowling was in her last semester as a pre-law student at Cal State East Bay and she had recently been selected as Miss California Regency International for 2026. Bowling also just finished a summer program for Harvard and was hoping to get into Harvard Law. Now, she’s simply focused on her recovery, which her family says is going well, but doctors reportedly estimate it could be at least two years before she fully recovers.

“She’s learning to put a puzzle together. She’s learning to color,” Markham said.

The outlet reports that the parents of the two boys who were allegedly driving the car have been cooperating with police as they continue to investigate the incident.

Since the accident, Bowling has been reunited with the dog she was walking at the time, Grizzly, who suffered injuries but is also on the mend.