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Wrong-Way Driver Faces Second-Degree Murder Charges

A wrong-way driver involved in a deadly crash has turned herself into detectives from the Department of Public Safety. 

Last May, Patricia Murphy was driving on the wrong side of San Tan portion of the Loop 202 when she collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle. The other driver and his passenger were killed. Murphy and her 9-year-old grandson were also hurt in the crash.

DPS detectives said at the time they believed Murphy was under the influence of alcohol and prescription drugs. Murphy faces two counts of second-degree murder and other charges. 

KJZZ senior field correspondent Kathy Ritchie has 20 years of experience reporting and writing stories for national and local media outlets — nearly a decade of it has been spent in public media.