A terrifying close call for one St. Johns County student sparked a movement and now, a brand-new state law.

“Bella’s Law” is named after a young girl who biked just feet from a busy highway to get to school. But her story — and her community — helped create lasting change.

For years, St. Johns County students’ daily route to Liberty Pines Academy took them just a few feet from fast-moving traffic. Children as young as 5 had to walk or bike a stretch of County Road 2209, near the 9B on-ramp.

That meant being close to speeding cars, busy traffic and even crash scenes.

But one moment changed everything for 8-year-old Bella Edwards and her family.

Bella was riding her bike to Liberty Pines Academy when a car flipped onto the sidewalk in front of her.

“I never thought that a car would cra

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