OSU student from Niles one of two killed in traffic crash in Florida; 7 others injured

March 17, 2013 at 4:33p.m.

Associated Press

EBRO, Fla.

A young woman from Niles was one of two Ohio State University students killed Saturday while driving home from spring break in Florida.

Seven other people are hospitalized after a traffic crash in the Florida Panhandle.

According to a Florida Highway Patrol crash report, Brittney Gallagher of Willoughby, Ohio, was driving near Ebro on Saturday morning when she drifted into opposing traffic. Troopers said Gallagher’s attempts to correct the problem caused her vehicle to rotate and cross into the path of a pickup truck driven by Kelly Porter of Stillwater, Okla.

Gallagher and her front passenger, Courtney Miller of Niles, were pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers said each was wearing a seat belt.

Two other passengers, Diana Mitchell of Solon, Okla., and Lauren Kane of Willoughby, Ohio, were hospitalized in critical condition.

They were all spring break visitors returning to Ohio, Walton County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Bill May told the Northwest Florida Daily News .

Authorities said alcohol was not a factor in the crash.