Kiara Bowling is fighting for her life at Highland Hospital a week after the crash caused by 7-year-old and 4-year-old brothers, but her family says she is beginning to show encouraging signs of recovery.
Her brother, Donny Blackmon, says faith has helped sustain the family through the ordeal.
"We are hoping for a miracle every day because of the severity of the injuries, there still can be life-changing decisions that have occurred," Blackmon said.
Blackmon remained at his sister's bedside, talking to her in hopes she can hear him. He said the family witnessed a breakthrough within the last 24 hours.
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Asked whether Bowling had shown signs she was listening, Blackmon said, "Yes there have been signs and movement and she is able to hear us and recognize voices speaking to her. She shed a tear when my grandmother spoke with her and she was able to move her hands and feet when I spoke to her, too."
The signs of progress come after Bowling was hit by a vehicle driven by the two young boys who had taken the car while their parents were sleeping. Bowling was walking her best friend's dog in Oakland when she was struck.
Blackmon said he first learned of the incident through reports about the crash, before discovering the victim was his sister.
"I'm praying for that person and then I got a call right after reading it, from my grandmother and my sister and knowing that they were confirming that as my sister, my older sister Kiara. And from that point it was just hard to fathom the reality of it," he said. "It's unfortunate how it happened. I understand these are kids in this incident as well but at the end of the day she didn't do anything wrong and I just hope she gets the proper justice."
Bowling remains in critical condition and has undergone multiple surgeries involving her brain, face and shoulder, according to her family.
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Family members describe Bowling as a trailblazer. She was recently named Miss California Regency International 2026 and had just completed a summer program at Harvard for her J.D. degree. Her goal is to become a lawyer, and her family is asking for prayers and donations to help support her rehabilitation.
"She can still hear us. So, she's able to understand who's talking to her. And that was a blessing to know that she is still holding us to us," Blackmon said.
Bowling's family said her medical team is preparing to remove her breathing tube to determine whether she can breathe on her own. If she cannot, she will need a permanent breathing device. Despite that possibility, her family says they remain hopeful.
Kiara's family is encouraged by her continued signs of improvement, pointing to her now breathing 90% on her own. Despite this, her doctors told her family Kiara Bowling's injuries are serious calling it a Diffuse Axonal Brain Injury.
"It's unknown if she'll be physically disabled after this, it's still unknown if she'll be able to go to a rehab program and get back to her feet as independently as she was. So, we are keeping that in prayers, but we do know it's a long process but want to make sure she has what she needs," said Blackmon.
To donate to Kiara Bowling's GoFundMe, click here.