A 16-year-old Freeport girl died of injuries sustained in an automobile crash that occurred early on the morning of Jan. 4  at SR-20 and CR-83A. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is investigating the accident, which left another teen seriously injured. A third passenger received minor injuries.
Meghan Burkhart Smith, 16, of Freeport, was a passenger in a car driven by a fellow South Walton High School student, Elyse Bushee, 16, of Miramar Beach.
According to the FHP report, Bushee’s vehicle was heading north on CR-83A. She apparently ran the stop sign at SR-20, crossed the highway and hit a tree. Smith was flown to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, where she died Sunday. Bushee and another reported passenger, Brytney Niccole Olsen, were taken to Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. Bushee arrived in serious condition, but a hospital spokesman reported her to be in fair condition on Monday. Olsen reportedly had minor injuries and was not a patient.
The report stated that only Meghan was wearing a seat belt.
FHP investigating trooper Mark Kemp reported that an investigation into whether alcohol had been a factor is pending.