Kiara Bowling, 31, a former beauty queen, has stated she forgives the two young boys, aged four and six, who critically injured her in August when they drove their parents' car into her. Bowling was walking her friend's dog, Grizzly, in Oakland, California, when the incident occurred.
The car struck Bowling from behind, causing a traumatic brain injury that affected her ability to walk and speak. The dog also sustained injuries. Bowling told ABC7, "I feel blessed to be here, and to still be able to walk," while utilizing crutches during her physical therapy.
"It feels good that I survived this," Bowling said, visiting the crash site. Doctors initially estimated her recovery could take up to two years, but she made significant progress in regaining her mobility and speech within three months. She is now expected to make a full recovery within two years.
One of the boys involved in the incident suffered broken legs, while the other sustained a concussion. Authorities reported that one child was steering the vehicle while the other operated the pedals. The brothers had taken their parents' car keys while their parents were asleep. The GoFundMe campaign set up by Bowling's aunt has raised over $100,000 to help cover medical expenses.
Bowling, a college student and teaching assistant, cited her empathy for children as a reason for her forgiveness. "It's not easy to recover from a traumatic experience like this," she added. Due to her injuries, Bowling had to step down from the Miss California Regency International 2026 competition in July, expressing her excitement to support her fellow contestants.
Lavelle Shah-Marquis, a bystander who assisted Bowling at the scene, reconnected with her via FaceTime. "The car came so fast behind you and hit you and the dog, and you went flying and you landed right where you were," Marquis recalled. Bowling expressed her gratitude for his help, noting she has no memory of the accident itself.
