By Jon Gambrell
Enquirer contributor

OXFORD - A car crash on a weekend road trip claimed the life of a Miami University freshman.

Jennifer Kyknor, 18, of Mason, died from injuries in the accident on Interstate 75 in Hancock County, while heading north to a party at Bowling Green State University with a friend.

James Green, of West Chester, was driving his 1992 Ford Ranger just before 10 p.m. when the truck left the road, hit a fence and flew into a bridge abutment, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Kyknor, a passenger in the truck, was flown to St. Vincent's Hospital in Toledo, where she died. Green was transported to Blanchard Valley Hospital, where he was released.

The accident is still under investigation.

Kyknor, a freshman sociology major, was always compassionate, said her mother, Becky Young.

"She had been working with an autistic 3-year-old to help with his speech," she said. "She also helped a severely handicapped woman in our neighborhood. Jenny had a big heart."

Her 18-year-old dorm mate Miranda McCaughan said: "She always had a smile on her face. I could already tell we would have been friends for the rest of our lives."

Miami University spokeswoman Holly Wissing said counseling was available. A student-led memorial service had yet to be planned.

Visitation for Kyknor will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday. The service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Susanna Church, 305 Fourth St., Mason.

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E-mail jgambrell@fuse.net