A 63-year-old Augusta woman is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say she caused a violent high-speed crash on Interstate 520 that left a local YMCA employee fighting for his life.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Daphna Collier was driving a 2016 Chrysler 300 at a high rate of speed on Tuesday when she recklessly changed lanes and slammed into the rear of a 2018 GMC Savannah van. The impact forced the van off the road, causing it to roll several times near the Wrightsboro Road exit around 10 a.m.
The driver of the van, 33-year-old Donell Brown of Graniteville, S.C., suffered catastrophic injuries. He was rushed to Doctor’s Hospital with severe internal bleeding, broken ribs, two broken legs, and a traumatic brain injury. Brown remains in the intensive care unit on a ventilator following emergency surgery. Medical staff report significant brain swelling, and his condition is described as critical.
Collier has been charged with serious injury by vehicle (felony), reckless driving, DUI, and following too closely.
Brown, a beloved team member at the Family YMCA of Greater Augusta, was reportedly on his way to pick up food from Golden Harvest Food Bank when the crash occurred. He is a local husband and father. His wife, Becca Byars, posted that his work truck was flipped, crushed and totaled in the wreck, leaving him unconscious in ICU.
In a heartfelt online statement, the YMCA described Brown as a “selfless servant” and asked for prayers and support. (Click to donate: https://tinyurl.com/4utkcejb)
“Our beloved YMCA team member, Donell, is currently in the ICU after a tragic accident caused by a drunk driver going over 100mph,” the organization wrote. “Please lift up Donell, his wife Becca, and their three beautiful children (ages 4, 9, and 12) in prayer and consider donating to help support them during this incredibly difficult time.”
(Note: Story was edited to reflect that the victim was an employee of YMCA, not a volunteer.)
