Auburn graduate dies in single car crash in Auburn Alabama

Parker Ivey is an Auburn graduate, not a current senior as the article previously noted. The Plainsman apologizes for this error.
Collier Ann Byers, a May 2013 Auburn graduate, died in a one-vehicle car crash Sunday, Aug. 18. The wreck occurred on Interstate 85, approximately four miles north of Opelika.“She was on her way back from a Brave’s game,” said Jacie Coressel, president of Byers’ sorority Delta Gamma.The two were returning to Montgomery after the game, according to Coressel. “The guy who was driving was intoxicated, and he hit a guardrail.
“The car flipped and she was killed on impact. She wasn’t wearing a seatbelt,” Coressel said.
The driver, Parker Ivey, 22-year old recent Auburn graduate, was arrested the day following the accident and charged with driving under the influence, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office also bonded out the same day on a $750 bond.
Byers, the 22-year-old Montgomery resident graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in human resource management. Coressel said Byers was an active member of Delta Gamma during her time at Auburn, and her death shook the chapter.
“It was just a really big shock to our chapter and we were unsure how to handle it,” Coressel said. “We had a crisis management [session] and a lot of the girls from her pledge class were able to attend.
“We just talked about her and we had counselors come in to let (members of Delta Gamma) know that they were there as a resource if anyone needed to talk to them.” Coressel remembered Byers as loving to craft, her dog Daisy, Dave Matthews band and making others laugh.She was just that goofy girl,” Coressel said. “Everyone was always laughing when she was around, that’s just who she was.”
A celebration of life will be held at Southern Memorial in Montgomery at 3154 Highland Ave., Thursday, Aug. 22 at 2 p.m.
She is survived by her mother, Kim Dowe, father Andrew Byers, sisters Falon Dustin Hooks and Lillie Flowers. She is also survived by her grandparents Johnnie and Pamela Collier; and Richard and Peggy Byers.