Hundreds Mourn at Wichita Vigil for Victims of Stryker Sports Complex Crash

More than 100 people gathered at Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita on Wednesday evening to honor the victims of last Saturday's crash, in which a truck drove onto a soccer field and struck several people. Two people died: 6-year-old Cole Adrian and 35-year-old Nicholas Schafer, of McPherson. Ten others were injured.

A bagpiper played "Amazing Grace" during the vigil. Many attendees said they had been at the complex on Saturday and are still shaken, with games scheduled to resume there this weekend. Organizers had asked people not to bring candles or open flames, allowing battery-operated candles and phone flashlights instead.

Casey Casamento, a former pastor and head soccer coach at Trinity Academy, spoke to the crowd. "Tonight we gather because grief is heavy and it was never meant to be carried alone or in isolation," he said. He added that people ask why suffering happens and how something so tragic could occur on a beautiful Saturday, and said the songs would give voice to both the ache and the hope in people's hearts.

Attendee CJ Gilkey said the crash felt personal. His wife was trembling as she described what happened, he said, and he realized it could have been his family. He said he was afraid to come to the vigil, had trouble sleeping and felt shaky and terrified.

Statements from both families were read aloud. The Schafer family shared hopeful news about their daughter, who has had her breathing tube removed and is breathing on her own. The statement also spoke of the family's loss of a husband and father. The Adrian family thanked the community for its support and prayers, saying they could feel it all through their broken hearts.

COMCARE provided counseling at the complex during the vigil. A stress trauma assistance team has been stationed at Stryker since Monday and has spoken with more than 60 people in the past couple of days. The vigil was the only event held at the complex on Wednesday, and Stryker plans to resume games this weekend.

According to police, a truck carrying a woman and two children hit several people on one of the fields. The 10 people hospitalized with injuries ranged in age from 5 to 68. The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with officers, and police said in a Tuesday update that she continues to cooperate with investigators.

After consulting the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office, police said they lacked probable cause to arrest her. They stressed that her release is not a final determination on whether charges are appropriate. Police have not named the driver, which they say is department practice for people who have not been arrested or charged.

Detectives have conducted nearly 50 interviews, with more under way. Investigators are examining the truck, analyzing available vehicle data and continuing work at the complex. They are also working with the Regional Forensic Science Center and awaiting official, peer-reviewed toxicology results. Detectives will give their findings to the district attorney's office to decide whether to file charges.

The department also urged the public to avoid speculation. "Spreading rumors and unverified accusations adds confusion, causes further pain for grieving families and harms people who have no connection to this case," it said, asking people to rely on official police updates.