Bay Area woman struck by car driven by two children walks again after traumatic brain injury

OAKLAND, Calif. — A heartwarming update on Kiara Bowling: She’s walking again! Nearly three months after a devastating crash left her fighting for her life, the California woman is making remarkable progress.

Bowling, 32, suffered a traumatic brain injury after a stolen vehicle driven by two siblings, ages 4 and 7, struck her in Oakland. Now, she is sharing her remarkable recovery and expressing gratitude for a second chance at life.

“I feel blessed to be here and to still be able to walk,” Bowling told ABC7 News in a Nov. 2 interview.

Bowling recently returned to the Oakland intersection where the crash nearly claimed her life. This time, she walked through the neighborhood and reunited with several people who helped save her.

“It feels good to be able to walk again,” she said.

Kiara Bowling’s recovery after traumatic brain injury

The crash occurred Aug. 6 near 35th and Mangels avenues in Oakland.

As we previously reported, two young brothers took their parents’ vehicle and drove through the neighborhood. The car struck another vehicle before hitting Bowling as she walked her best friend’s dog, Grizzly.

Emergency responders rushed Bowling to Highland Hospital in critical condition.

She suffered severe brain trauma, facial fractures and a fractured rib. Her injuries left her unable to perform basic daily activities independently.

However, Bowling gradually began making progress through rehabilitation.

In September, Unheard Voices reported that Bowling had started taking steps again. Her aunt, Karon Markham, also described improvements in her cognitive abilities.

Bowling could complete puzzles and practice coloring as she worked to regain skills affected by her injuries.

Her recovery has continued since those early milestones.

Bowling told ABC7 that she had to relearn how to walk, speak and eat independently.

However, she still cannot remember the crash. She said her memories do not resume until approximately mid-September.

Kiara Bowling reunites with people who helped save her

Bowling’s return to the crash scene brought an emotional reunion with several people who rushed to help her.

According to ABC7, witnesses stopped to speak with Bowling as she revisited the intersection.

Rita Macina recalled comforting Bowling while another person performed CPR.

Macina said she reassured Bowling that she would survive and noticed a tear fall from her eye.

Another witness, Kevin Jones, remembered praying for Bowling as emergency crews worked to save her.

Additionally, Bowling reconnected through FaceTime with Lavelle Shah-Marquis, who witnessed the crash while visiting Oakland from Seattle.

Shah-Marquis described how the vehicle approached from behind and struck Bowling and Grizzly.

His account helped Bowling understand an incident she cannot remember because of her brain injuries.

Both Bowling and Grizzly survived and continue recovering.

Bowling forgives children involved in crash

Despite her life-changing injuries, Bowling said she holds no resentment toward the children involved.

During her ABC7 interview, a reporter asked whether she had forgiven the brothers.

“Yes, I do forgive them,” Bowling responded.

Before the crash, Bowling was a beauty queen. She was crowned Miss California Regency International 2026 and previously held the title of Ms. Greater Bay Area.  She also was attending California State University, East Bay, and hoped to pursue a legal career.

The collision interrupted those plans and forced her to focus on rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, community members have continued supporting her recovery. More than 2,000 people have contributed to her GoFundMe campaign.

Doctors estimate her recovery could take approximately two years.

Although Bowling has regained her ability to walk, she still faces a lengthy rehabilitation process.

For now, she remains grateful for her progress, the people who helped her and the opportunity to rebuild her life.

“I’m very happy that I’m still here,” Bowling told ABC7. “That is the biggest blessing, to still be here.”