An elementary school principal accused of being under the influence in a head-on crash in Palmdale that left another motorist dead has been charged with murder, prosecutors announced Monday.
Mary Noel Kruppe, 35, was driving southbound on 50th Street East north of Avenue P last Thursday night when she allegedly veered left into oncoming traffic, according to a news release from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Her vehicle subsequently crashed head-on into a car being driven by 29-year-old Jessica Ordaz of Lancaster, the release stated. Ordaz died of her injuries.
Kruppe was charged with murder in connection with the suspected DUI crash, according to the DA’s office. The Pearblossom resident is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday at the Antelope Valley Branch of L.A. County Superior Court.
Prosecutors will ask that Kruppe’s bail be set at $2 million, according to the release.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum of 15 years to life in prison.
Authorities did not say where Kruppe worked, but the California Department of Education’s website lists a “Mary Kruppe” as the principal of Enterprise Elementary School in Lancaster.
