Two young boys, aged four and seven, severely injured a woman walking her dog when they took their parents' car for a joyride in Oakland, California, on Thursday.
The incident occurred when the children stole their sleeping parents' vehicle and drove through the neighborhood. Surveillance footage shows the boys driving down 35th Avenue at high speed when they struck the woman in a crosswalk. The car then rolled over a median and hit a fence. Prior to hitting the pedestrian, the boys also sideswiped another vehicle.
Witnesses estimated the boys were traveling at least 60 mph at the time of the collision. The woman, who is in her 30s, lost consciousness immediately after being struck. Two bystanders performed CPR until first responders arrived, helping to keep her alive. She was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
The boys were found outside the vehicle after the crash, which occurred only a few blocks from their home. One witness reported that an airbag deployed with such force that it propelled one of the children into the backseat. Both boys were taken to the hospital and were reported to be in stable condition.
The woman's dog was unharmed and ran away from the scene.
Witnesses at the scene reported hearing the children discuss stealing their mother's car. The parents, who arrived later, are cooperating with the police investigation. It remains unclear if the parents will face charges.
According to former prosecutor Steven Clark, it is unlikely that charges will be filed against the parents. He explained that while the seven-year-old committed a crime, legal systems are not designed to prosecute such young children. He likened the situation to leaving car keys accessible rather than a more direct act of negligence with a weapon, suggesting the law may not have a clear remedy for this specific scenario.