18-year-old driver, a Miami University student, dies in rollover accident in Morgan Township

MORGAN TWP., Ohio - An 18-year-old Miami University student was pronounced dead at the scene after her car was found 80 feet away from one of Butler County’s main roadways Thursday morning.

Butler County Sheriff’s deputies confirm Nicole Sefton, 18, of Morgan Township, was traveling east in the 5700 block of Hamilton-Scipio Road -- or Ohio 129 -- before she lost control and drove off the right side of the roadway, said Sgt. Monte Mayer.

Authorities believe Sefton was ejected from her 2003 Volkswagan Jetta and was found laying in a nearby field. Officials were dispatched at approximately 6:20 a.m. although they believe the crash occurred sometime overnight.

Sefton was a 2012 graduate of Ross High School, where she was active in the Future Farmers of America program. Her principal there, Brian Martin, released a statement about the mishap.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of Nikki’s passing," Martin said. "It is always tragic when a young person’s life is cut short.  She was highly thought of by her peers and teachers.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to her friends and family.”

Sefton was a Miami University student, majoring in athletic training. She was a Miami Hamilton regional campus student who commuted to Oxford for her athletic training classes.

Patricia Troesch, an instructor at Miami who had Sefton in two of her classes, said she always showed "great enthusiasm" at college.

"I noticed her absence this morning and thought, something is wrong," Troesch said. "She missed one class last semester when her grandfather passed away ... It was clear that she had found the major that was meant for her,  athletic training. She stayed late in lab on Tuesday to help me put equipment away. She was a happy girl with a smile on her face."

Troesch added, "I am so sad that this happened to her. Our class members and athletic training program members feel a tremendous sense of loss and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends."

The cause of the incident remain under investigation.

WCPO.com and 9 On Your Side will update this story as more information becomes available.

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