Wilfong
By Kelly Cantwell
Editor

A 16-year-old Milford High School student died in a car crash on Jan. 24, leaving her family, the school district and the community to mourn.

Lauren Wilfong, of Milford, was a junior at the high school. Principal Josh Kauffman is not sure if she knew what she wanted to go into after graduation, but she was very academically focused and was on the right path to succeed, he said.

“She had a great sense of her future,” Kauffman said.

In addition, Wilfong was someone who was always optimistic and positive. Kauffman said she could always brighten his day, a sentiment he said was shared by others.

“Lauren was just delightful, she was always optimistic and just had an infectious smile,” Kauffman said.

Wilfong was driving a 2006 Toyota Solara southbound on Glendale Milford Road in Milford when she went off on the right side of the road, overcorrected and drove onto the other side of the road, striking Terrence Howe, age 57 of Terrace Park, who was driving a 2015 Toyota Sequoia northbound, according to a release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Wilfong was transported to Bethesda North Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Howe was uninjured, according to the release.

Wilfong was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The OSHP does not suspect that drugs or alcohol were a factor, the release states.

The Milford Police Department and the OSHP Reconstruction Unit were on the scene.

Wilfong is the daughter of Wendy and Robert and the sister of Rachel (Tim) Mahaney and Robby. Her funeral was Jan. 28 at St. Andrew Church in Milford.

It is challenging for students and staff anytime something happens with a student, Kauffman said, but the support from the community has been so helpful.

“It’s been difficult for us,” Kauffman said.

The Clermont County Crisis Team was at the school last week and the guidance counselors made sure to make themselves more available for any student that needed to talk. The staff made sure that they were present by visiting classrooms and by being in the hallway when students were changing classes or at lunch, Kauffman said.

Right now, students and staff should take the time to reflect on their choices and be inspired by Wilfong’s motivation and optimism, Kauffman said.

“I think it’s important that we remember Lauren,” Kauffman said.

Wilfong’s family requested any memorials be made to the League for Animal Welfare at 4193 Taylor Road, Batavia, OH 45103 or at lfaw.org.