In a heartbreaking tragedy, Samantha Jensen from Oldtown, Idaho, experienced the unimaginable loss of her three-year-old daughter, Scarlett, on October 7, 2022, after leaving her children in their grandmother’s care. What was meant to be a normal day ended in devastation when a driver in the midst of a “mental breakdown” caused a fatal accident that claimed Scarlett’s life and left her grandmother and two-year-old brother, Henry, critically injured.
That afternoon, the children’s grandmother, Jamie, had taken them out for ice cream and a walk. They returned via the family’s private driveway, where Scarlett asked to leave her stroller to pick flowers.
Jamie captured the last photo of Scarlett, unaware that within minutes, tragedy would strike. At 4:52 p.m., just five minutes after the photo was taken, a driver in a Chevy Tahoe veered off course and sped down the driveway, hitting Jamie and the children. Despite Jamie’s desperate attempts to wave the driver off and protect the children, Scarlett was killed instantly. Jamie and Henry were left severely injured, and the driver fled the scene.
Upon landing back in Idaho after attending a wedding, Samantha was met by police officers and rushed to the hospital, where she found Henry fighting for his life. Henry had been airlifted to a children’s hospital, suffering from a broken jaw, collarbone, and other injuries.
His grandmother, Jamie, was also critically injured but eventually stabilized after being hospitalized with multiple broken bones. Henry spent a week in the pediatric ICU, wearing a full-body brace for ten weeks as he recovered.
In the aftermath of the accident, Samantha leaned on her faith and expressed immense gratitude for the time she still had with her son. On the anniversary of Scarlett’s death, Samantha shared the final photo of Scarlett walking beside her brother, taken just minutes before the accident. The image, which captured Scarlett’s last moments of life, was shared on TikTok on October 13, 2024, and later accompanied by a heart-wrenching reflection. “Life isn’t fair and I really miss my baby tonight,” Samantha wrote, revealing the deep sorrow that still gripped her.
The weeks following Scarlett’s passing were filled with mourning, reflection, and memories. Scarlett, born on New Year’s Day in 2019, was described by her mother as a sweet and silly child who loved unicorns, horses, and spending time with her family. She was a caring older sister, doting on her younger siblings, Molly and Rosie, and was excited to attend a soccer game the day after her death.
Samantha’s tribute to her daughter was filled with memories of Scarlett’s vibrant spirit, her love for her siblings, and her joy in life. In a Facebook post two days after the anniversary, Samantha shared photos of Scarlett and reflected on the immense pain of losing her. “The pain we feel from losing you is indescribable,” she wrote, promising to ensure that Henry, Molly, and Rosie would always remember their beloved older sister.
The man responsible for the accident is now serving a 10-year prison sentence for vehicular homicide
While nothing can bring Scarlett back, Samantha continues to honor her daughter’s memory and cherishes the moments she still has with her surviving children.