Life can change in an instant. For one Idaho family, a quiet autumn afternoon in 2022 became a moment forever etched in memory — capturing both joy and unimaginable loss within minutes.
Three‑year‑old Scarlett June Jensen’s life ended in the blink of an eye, but the photograph taken moments before her death has become a poignant reminder of her innocence and the love that surrounded her final minutes.
On October 7, 2022, in the small town of Oldtown, Idaho, Samantha and Lane Jensen’s family enjoyed a normal fall day in the Pacific Northwest. Scarlett, their bright and lively three‑year‑old daughter, had spent the afternoon with her grandmother, Jamie Patton, and her two‑year‑old brother, Henry while her parents were out of town attending a wedding.
The trio had gone out for ice cream and were taking a gentle walk near their family’s home when, just minutes later, their world was shattered.
While walking along the family’s private driveway, a Chevrolet Tahoe came racing down the road and struck all three pedestrians — Scarlett, her grandmother, and Henry.
The Photo That Captured a Final Moment
Just five minutes before the accident, Jamie had taken a photo of her grandchildren walking in the driveway. The image shows Scarlett and Henry side by side, young and carefree, moments before tragedy would strike.
It was only found weeks later when the grandmother’s phone — lost during the crash — was recovered and Samantha began scrolling through the pictures. “My mom took this picture at 4:47 p.m., and my daughter’s time of death was 4:52,” Samantha later shared publicly.
“My mom didn’t know she was capturing the last moments of her life. This one is really hard for me to look at, just knowing what comes next breaks my heart.”
That image, shared on social media and covered widely by outlets including People and Newsweek, eventually resonated with millions around the world, offering a bittersweet glimpse of a child who was deeply loved.
The Accident: What Happened Next
At approximately 4:50 p.m. that day, a 23‑year‑old man from Newport, Washington was driving the Chevrolet Tahoe when he struck the family. The force of the impact was devastating:
Scarlett was killed almost instantly at the scene.
Henry was critically injured and later airlifted to a children’s hospital.
Jamie, the grandmother, also suffered serious injuries but ultimately survived.
Witnesses told authorities that Jamie tried desperately to protect her grandchildren, waving her arms and screaming for the driver to stop and grabbing at the children in an attempt to move them out of the vehicle’s path. Unfortunately, the Tahoe was traveling too fast, and their efforts could not prevent the collision.
The driver fled the scene on foot but was located shortly afterward by law enforcement and taken into custody.
Aftermath and Legal Consequences
Investigators determined that the driver had overturned the vehicle after hitting the family and fled more than half a mile away before being found by officers.
In January 2024, the man, identified as Dakota LaFountain, pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter in connection with Scarlett’s death. In May 2024, he was sentenced to ten years in prison for the crime — one of the most serious penalties available under Idaho’s laws for a hit‑and‑run that resulted in a death.
Under Idaho law, hit‑and‑run offenses causing injury or death are felony crimes punishable by up to five years in prison and fines, with sentencing often influenced by the severity of harms done.
The Injuries: Henry and Grandma’s Recovery
While Scarlett’s life ended far too soon, her brother Henry survived with life‑altering injuries. Doctors discovered that Henry had suffered:
A fractured spine
Six broken ribs
A broken jaw
A broken collarbone
A liver laceration
Bruised lungs and other trauma
He spent a week in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center before stabilizing.
Scarlett’s grandmother, Jamie, broke several bones but was released from the hospital and has been recovering at home with the family’s support.
A Family Torn Apart
For Samantha and Lane, the days after the accident were a blur of grief, hospital visits, and trying to hold a family together.
Samantha recounted the surreal experience of flying home from the wedding, sensing that something was wrong long before she received word of the tragedy. “Walking into the hospital and seeing my son in critical condition is a mother’s nightmare,” she said.
“I was grieving the loss of my daughter while also trying to be present and focus on my son’s healing. It was impossible to be everything that everyone needed at once.”
The Jensen family also welcomed a new child, Rosie, a year after the tragedy, underscoring the complex mixture of sorrow and continued hope that many families experience after loss.
Remembering Scarlett: A Life Full of Joy
Scarlett June Jensen was born on January 1, 2019, and brought joy to her family from the moment she arrived. According to her mother, Scarlett was:
“The silliest, sweetest little girl”
Energetic and caring, especially as a big sister
Enthusiastic about horses, unicorns, and the movies Frozen and Spirit
Joyful playing hide‑and‑seek, going to preschool, and playing soccer
“The absolute joy of her life were her siblings,” Samantha said.
“She loved helping take care of baby Molly and playing with her best friend Henry.”
Friends and neighbors frequently described Scarlett as a loving child with a bright spirit and infectious enthusiasm — a presence that profoundly shaped the lives of those around her.
The Meaning of the Last Photo
In the weeks and months following the tragedy, Samantha initially struggled to look at the photo taken just minutes before her daughter’s death. The image captured a young girl — unaware of what was about to happen — enjoying a simple walk with her loved ones.
At first, the photograph was too painful to revisit, a reminder of what was lost. But as months turned into years, Samantha’s perspective slowly changed.
She came to view the image not as the last moment of life, but as a beautiful portrait of Scarlett’s spirit and joy: “It captures the peaceful feeling of her last moments, the beauty she was surrounded by when she took her last breaths. I will forever picture her happy and carefree, picking flowers with her best friend and Meemaw.”
For Samantha, the photo has become a cherished keepsake — a testament to Scarlett’s innocence, joy, and the love that defined her short life.
Healing Lies in Faith and Family
Grief, Samantha has said, does not fade in a straight line. Some days feel unbearably heavy, like drowning beneath sorrow; other days bring glimpses of peace and normalcy. But through it all, the family has leaned on:
Therapy and counseling
Their community
Friends and extended family
Their Christian faith
Samantha has credited her faith in God with helping her navigate the darkest parts of her grief journey — providing strength when the pain seemed too great to bear. “Some days, it feels like I am drowning, and some days I am able to tread water,” she explained.
“My whole family is putting in a lot of work in therapy and trying to heal as much as possible.”
Two Years Later: Grief and Growth
Two years after her daughter’s death, Samantha reflects on her loss with a mixture of sorrow and gratitude. Though the wound left by Scarlett’s passing remains deep, she finds solace in small moments of joy with her other children and in the strength that has emerged from profound pain.
She often speaks about Scarlett’s memory with warmth rather than only loss — remembering her laughter, her favorite activities, and the way she lit up every room she entered.
These reflections have helped transform the picture from a source of pain into a symbol of Scarlett’s life and spirit.
A Legacy of Love and Light
Scarlett may have lived only three years, but her impact endures. Her family continues to share her story, celebrating the joy she brought into their lives and keeping her memory alive through photos, stories, and everyday moments.
Whether through posts on social media that have reached millions, community memorials, or quiet family conversations, Scarlett’s presence remains palpable — a reminder that love transcends even the deepest loss.
In remembering her, the Jensen family invites others to appreciate the beauty in the fleeting moments of life, to hold loved ones close, and to find meaning even in the face of heartbreak that feels larger than the world itself.
Rest in peace, Scarlett June Jensen — may your memory continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who knew you.
