Police have charged a young Paducah woman with murder after a fatal traffic crash, saying she was intoxicated and driving on an instructional driver’s permit. Sheriff’s deputies arrested 18-year-old Tiffany L. Pittman, who was driving a car that authorities said crossed the center line of the two-lane highway near Sharpe Elementary School, according to The Paducah Sun.

Stephen H. Harper, also of Paducah, was killed when his compact pickup truck was hit head-on while traveling U.S. 68 in Marshall County on Monday evening. Deputies said the 45-year-old victim was on his way to work at a factory in Benton when he was killed.

After Pittman and her passenger were treated at Lourdes Hospital In Paducah, Pittman was taken to the Marshall County jail.

This is a tragic ending to a situation that could have been prevented by not drinking and driving.

Information from: The Paducah Sun.