U.S. Soccer released a statement expressing its support for the community of Wichita, Kansas, after a woman drove her truck into a youth soccer match, killing two people.
The organization published a social media post on Sunday, Oct. 18, a day after the incident in Wichita, saying it is “heartbroken by the tragedy” that also left 11 injured.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the families who lost loved ones, and our thoughts are with those injured and everyone impacted,” the statement said. “We are grateful to the community members and first responders who cared for the injured. The entire U.S. Soccer family stands with the soccer communities in Wichita and across Kansas during this incredibly difficult time.
“We will work closely with Kansas Youth Soccer to understand how we can best support the community in the days and weeks ahead.”
The Kansas City Current expressed similar sentiments about the “unimaginable tragedy” and said that they stand with the community as well.
“Soccer brings people together,” the NWSL team said in a social media post also published on Sunday, “and we join the entire region in grieving alongside those affected.”
Sporting Kansas City released a statement on Sunday as well with a graphic that said, “Our soccer family stands together.”
“We’re deeply saddened by yesterday’s tragedy in Wichita,” the MLS club posted. “Our hearts are with the entire Wichita community & all those affected.”
Police said that on Saturday, a 34-year-old woman parked her truck next to a field where a youth soccer match was going on and then drove onto it, hitting adults and children. She had two of her own children in the truck and a third playing in the game.
After interviewing more than 30 witnesses, including the two children inside the vehicle, police released the woman from custody on Sunday, pending the results of toxicology testing and examination of the vehicle, authorities said. No charges have been filed, police said.
The Wichita Police Department identified the two people killed as a 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man, who were not related to each other. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Ten people, ages 5 to 68 years old, were taken to local hospitals, including five children and five adults. A 61-year-old woman also was taken to the hospital for an unknown medical condition.
Kansas City, which is about 200 miles from Wichita, was one of 16 host cities for this summer’s World Cup.
– Contributing: Anthony Thompson and Karissa Waddick
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: U.S. Soccer expresses support for Wichita after 2 killed during youth game
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