A grandmother unknowingly captured the last moments of her three-year-old granddaughter’s life just minutes before an unthinkable tragedy. The devastating event has since left a family shattered, yet a single photograph now serves as a cherished memory of a beautiful soul lost too soon.
The Tragic Incident
On October 7, 2022, three-year-old Scarlett Jensen was struck and killed in a hit-and-run accident in Oldtown, Idaho. At the time of the tragedy, she was in the care of her grandmother, along with her two-year-old brother, Henry, while their parents, Samantha and her husband, were out of town attending a wedding.
According to reports, Scarlett, Henry, and their grandmother were walking in their private driveway when an unexpected horror unfolded. A Chevy Tahoe came speeding down the road, striking all three of them before fleeing the scene.
“My mother was waving her hands, screaming for him to stop, and she tried to grab my children to move them out of the way, but he was going too fast,” Samantha Jensen recalled.
Sadly, Scarlett was killed almost instantly, while her brother and grandmother sustained critical injuries. The suspect fled on foot but was apprehended miles away and is now serving a 10-year prison sentence for his actions.
The Aftermath of the Crash
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(849x176:851x178)/Scarlett-June-Jensen-101524-tout-mk-a60d93df0b4541da9e40dc34297526c3.jpg)
The family’s grief was compounded by the severity of Henry’s injuries. He was airlifted to a children’s hospital, where doctors discovered:
- A fractured spine
- Six broken ribs
- A broken jaw and collarbone
- A liver laceration and several other severe injuries
Meanwhile, Scarlett’s grandmother suffered multiple broken bones but was eventually released from the hospital. Henry spent a week in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) before being deemed stable enough to return home, where he had to wear a full-body brace for 10 weeks.
A Photo That Captures a Lasting Memory
In the weeks following Scarlett’s passing, the family was engulfed in immeasurable grief. But a moment of solace came when Samantha stumbled upon a photo taken just minutes before the accident.
“My mom lost her phone when they were hit, and it took us a while to find it,” Samantha explained. “When we finally did, I was going through pictures and found that one.”
Looking at the timestamp, Samantha realized the image had been captured just five minutes before Scarlett was declared dead. It was likely taken seconds before the vehicle struck them.
Scarlett’s Final Moments
According to Samantha, the image was taken when Scarlett’s grandmother took the two children out for ice cream. Upon arriving home, Scarlett wanted to step out of the stroller to pick flowers—a moment her grandmother captured on camera.
“That’s when my mom took the last picture I have of her alive,” Samantha said.
Coping with Unimaginable Grief
The pain of losing a child is something no parent should have to endure, and Samantha and her family continue to grapple with the overwhelming loss.
“Some days, it feels like I am drowning, and some days I am able to tread water,” she admitted. “My whole family is putting in a lot of work in therapy and trying to heal as much as possible.”
Through the darkness, Samantha credits her faith in God as her guiding light: “My faith in the Lord has saved my life and helped me tremendously in my healing journey.”
Finding Comfort in the Final Photo
Initially, Samantha found it painful to look at the last image of her daughter. However, two years after Scarlett’s passing, she has come to see the photograph in a new light.
“I am so incredibly thankful to have that photo,” she expressed. “It captures the peaceful feeling of her last moments, the beauty she was surrounded by when she took her last breaths.”
For Samantha, the photo represents more than just a moment frozen in time—it embodies the joy and innocence of her beloved daughter’s final moments.
“I will forever picture her happy and carefree, picking flowers with her best friend and Meemaw.”
A Lasting Tribute
Scarlett’s story is a painful reminder of how fragile life can be. Her memory now lives on in the hearts of her family, and her mother hopes that by sharing their story, others may cherish every moment with their loved ones.
May Scarlett rest in peace.
Help Spread Awareness
If this story touched your heart, please consider sharing it with friends and family. Spreading awareness about road safety and the importance of cherishing precious moments can make a difference in someone’s life.
