“Boy, 18, Who Was Hit by a Car and in a Coma, Overcomes the Odds to Run Cross Country,” TODAY, August, 28, 2026

A national TODAY feature highlights the remarkable recovery of Bensten Schone, a McLean teenager who was critically injured at age 6 after being struck by a car while sledding. Airlifted to Inova Fairfax Hospital with a fractured skull and severe traumatic brain injury, Bensten spent more than two weeks in a medically induced coma and was told he might never walk again.

After years of intensive rehabilitation, Bensten relearned how to walk, speak and perform daily activities. Now 18, he is preparing for his senior year of high school and plans to continue running cross country at the collegiate level. Inspired by his own recovery journey, he is also considering a career in physical therapy.

The experience also impacted Bensten’s older sister, who called 911 the day of the accident. She is now a nurse at Inova Children’s Emergency Department.

Read the full story from TODAY.