Auburn student dies in car accident

Sarah Anderson was considered “the model band member.”

“She was outstanding, beloved and always had a smile on her face,” said Auburn University Marching Band director Corey Spurlin.

Late Tuesday night, the 19-year-old Auburn sophomore and piccoloist from Robertsdale was killed in an accident on Interstate 85 near Mount Meigs when the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox she was traveling in overturned on the rain-slick highway.

Sara Clayton, 20, of Auburn, a fellow band member, was also in the vehicle and was taken to Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery for treatment and was listed in fair condition.

The accident occurred near mile marker 13, two miles north of the I-85 and U.S. Highway 80 interchange. Alabama State Trooper Sgt. Steve Jarrett said Anderson, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle, which was then struck by a commercial truck.

Anderson was pronounced dead on the scene.

Spurlin said he believes the Auburn band will offer a number of tributes in Anderson’s memory. Band members were told of the death Wednesday, and the directors began discussing plans for a memorial for Anderson, who was also a flutist in the concert band and a member of the Kappa Kappa Psi service fraternity.

“Something to show her family how special she is to us,” Spurlin said. “She was a just an outstanding young lady.”

“We’re dedicating our show at Georgia to her,” Spurlin said. “We’re definitely going to wear black ribbons on our uniforms for the rest of the season. Georgia’s band has been so respectful, keeping her in their prayers. They might have something that they will do, too.”

Auburn’s pregame band show Nov. 27, when the Tigers host Alabama, will have a slightly different look.

“In memory of her, we won’t fill her pregame spot. We’ll leave that spot open,” said Spurlin, who considers Anderson among the leaders in the band’s piccolo section.

Spurlin said he believed band members were planning a candlelight vigil in her honor, but exact times or locations for such an event were not pinpointed.

Mack Funeral Home and Crematory in Robertsdale is handling Anderson’s funeral arrangements.