Sister of 12-Year-Old Hit-and-Run Victim Calls for Awareness After Brother's Injury
The sister of a 12-year-old boy who was struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run incident in Calgary has taken to social media to raise awareness about pedestrian safety and the dangers of fleeing accident scenes. Bentley St John was walking to his bus stop early Tuesday morning, March 10, 2026, in the Taradale neighborhood when a white four-door sedan hit him at a marked crosswalk and drove away without stopping.
Details of the Incident and Recovery
According to his sister, Jaden Jacobson, Bentley was on his routine two-block walk from their family home to the bus stop, a path he had taken daily for two years. After the collision, several vehicles passed by without assisting before a kind pedestrian came to his aid. This individual later reached out to the family to check on Bentley's well-being, offering support during the emergency.
Bentley was transported to the hospital in stable condition with a leg broken in three places. He is now recovering at home but is experiencing significant pain. Jacobson described his treatment, noting he must keep his foot elevated and is in a full-legged cast up to mid-thigh, which he will wear for six to eight weeks. "He got lucky compared to what could have happened," she remarked, emphasizing the potential for more severe outcomes.
Calgary's Pedestrian Safety Concerns
This incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing pedestrian collisions in Calgary. Police data reveals a spike in fatal collisions over the past five years, with a record high of 38 fatalities in 2025, including 15 pedestrians. In a recent police commission meeting, Chief Katie McLellan reported that 550 pedestrians were injured in collisions last year alone, highlighting a growing public safety issue.
In response to the hit-and-run, Calgary Police Services issued a statement on Thursday seeking public assistance to identify the driver. They described the vehicle as a white four-door sedan with tinted windows and noted that the incident was captured on a nearby home's doorbell camera, though visibility was limited due to darkness.
Family's Response and Call to Action
Jacobson has been actively sharing posts on social media platforms to draw attention to hit-and-runs and pedestrian safety. She expressed that the family now feels paranoid, scrutinizing every white car with dark tint they see. "Now me and my family are paranoid. Every time we see this white car with a super dark tint, we're like, 'That could be them,'" she said.
Her primary hope is that people "realize the impact of their decisions, and realize how much of an impact you can make in someone's life from one accident." She urges drivers to be more cautious and responsible, especially in residential areas and near crosswalks.
Police Investigation and Public Appeal
Calgary police are investigating the incident at the intersection of Tarington Way and Taradale Drive N.E. They are asking anyone who witnessed the event or has dashcam footage from the area at the time to come forward. Tips can be submitted by calling 403-266-1234 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online, or via the P3 Tips app.
This case underscores the critical need for community vigilance and adherence to traffic laws to protect vulnerable road users like children walking to school.
