Coworkers Remember Longtime Tulsa Dispatcher Killed In Hit-And-Run Crash

A Tulsa dispatcher who was recently killed in a hit-and-run crash is being honored by her work family and first responders.

Wednesday, October 13th 2021, 10:08 pm

By: Chinh Doan

TULSA, Oklahoma -

A longtime Tulsa dispatcher who was recently killed in a hit-and-run crash was honored Wednesday night by her coworkers and community.

Mary Byers was a Tulsa dispatcher for 26 years, and her death has been devastating to family, friends and coworkers.

Byers' coworkers organized a balloon release for Oct. 13 and invited first responders to share memories.

Byers became a Tulsa dispatcher in 1995 and supervisor in 2017. She leaves behind several siblings, children, grandchildren and many heartbroken coworkers.

"Especially losing somebody like Mary, who really took pride in the job that she did here at 911,” said Tulsa Public Safety Communications 911 Director, Belinda McGhie. “She saved a lot of lives. She was very good at her job."

Byers was killed in a hit-and-run crash near Admiral and Utica while on her way to work October 5.

Police believe Codey Carrell was speeding and ran a red light, hitting Byers on the driver side. Carrell turned himself in the next day and was booked for first-degree manslaughter and leaving the scene of a deadly crash.

News On 6 was there at the time of Carrell’s surrender, in which he apologized to the victim’s family.

Lt. Stephen Florea said it is tough when a case involves someone officers work with, but they will stay impartial.

"That's our job as police officers, as investigators to be able to be impartial, to look at the evidence and allow the evidence to lead us where we're going to go with the investigation," said Lt. Florea.

McGhie said people from all over have been sending flowers and food to Byers' work family. Rogers County's therapy dog named "Judge Judy" visited Tulsa dispatchers.

The dispatchers are also wearing ribbons to honor Byers.

"There's been a lot of sadness, a lot of grieving, a lot of grief because Mary was a good friend to many of the people here," said McGhie.

If you'd like to help her family, you can donate to the Tulsa Police Department Foundation by mentioning Mary Byers' name with your donation. Click here to donate.