Police say a very young child drove a vehicle that struck a woman walking a dog in an Oakland crosswalk at about 9:30 a.m. PT, leaving the pedestrian in critical condition. Two brothers, ages 7 and 4, were in the car and were taken to hospital; the older has a broken leg and the younger a concussion. Surveillance video shows the car sideswiping another vehicle before entering the crosswalk and striking a retaining wall. Police say the parents are cooperating with investigators.
Very Young Child Driving in Oakland Crash Leaves Woman Critically Injured, Police Say
Child driver strikes woman walking dog in crosswalk, critically injuring her: Police
Police say a very young child was behind the wheel of a vehicle that struck a woman walking a dog in a marked crosswalk in Oakland, California, on Thursday, leaving the pedestrian in critical condition.
KGO - PHOTO: A still from video showing a white vehicle that police say struck a pedestrian in Oakland, California, Aug. 6, 2026.
What Happened
The collision occurred at about 9:30 a.m. PT. Authorities say the juvenile driver first sideswiped another vehicle, lost control, then struck the pedestrian in the crosswalk before the car collided with a retaining wall.
KGO - PHOTO: A still from video showing a woman walking a dog before police say a juvenile driver struck her in Oakland, California, Aug. 6, 2026.
Who Was Involved
A family member told ABC San Francisco station KGO that two brothers, ages 7 and 4, were in the vehicle. Police confirmed both juveniles are under the age of 10. The pedestrian was described by police as a woman in her 30s.
KGO - PHOTO: A vehicle is seen following a collision that police say injured a woman walking a dog in Oakland, California, Aug. 6, 2026.
Injuries and Response
The woman was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition. The two boys were also taken to hospital and listed in stable condition; the family member said the 7-year-old suffered a broken leg and the 4-year-old sustained a concussion. Officers said the juveniles' parents were located and are cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
"The airbags did deploy, so I did see one of the kids fly to the back because when the airbag deployed, it hit him so hard," witness Lavelle Shah-Marquis told KGO. "These kids were so small." Shah-Marquis added he saw the pedestrian lying on the ground and that "to me she seemed really lifeless."
Investigative Details
Surveillance footage released by investigators shows a white vehicle sideswiping another car in the opposite lane, then careening toward the crosswalk just after a pedestrian had entered with a dog. Oakland police said officers contacted the juveniles' parents and that they are cooperating as the department continues its investigation.
ABC News' Jennifer Watts contributed to this report.
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