A wrong-way driver blamed for causing a fatal crash earlier this month on Highway 101 in Santa Maria while under the influence of alcohol has been charged with murder in Santa Barbara County Superior Court.

The more serious charge came after investigators learned the driver, Kendra Cordova, 34, of Santa Maria, worked as a bartender and had completed the class spelling out the dangers of drinking and driving, according to court records.

She initially was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and drunken driving in connection with a fatal crash that killed one woman and badly injured a man. 

At approximately 5:25 a.m. Sept. 8, firefighters from Santa Maria and Santa Barbara County responded to a crash on southbound Highway 101. A Chevrolet Silverado had collided with a Mazda CX-9 going the wrong direction on the highway between Betteravia Road and Santa Maria Way

Alma Teresa Alcorta Del Lazaro, 53, of Santa Maria died in the crash.

Firefighters had to extricate her husband, the truck’s driver, Cecilio L. Camacho, 63, of Santa Maria, from the wrecked truck which ended up on the concrete center divider.

Minutes earlier, California Highway Patrol officers received a report of a wrong-way driver traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of Highway 101 north of Los Alamos.

Following the crash, Cordova was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and drunken driving but was released from jail custody after posting bail. 

Further investigation led law enforcement officers to determine that what happened “amounted to implied malice murder,” prompting the filing of criminal charges and issuance of an arrest warrant. 

Investigators determined Cordova had worked a shift as a bartender late Sept. 7 and early Sept. 8 at the 1880 Union Hotel in Los Alamos, according to a CHP officer’s declaration in support of the arrest warrant.

Video from the shift shows Cordova arriving around 9 p.m. and allegedly pouring herself a glass of vodka with water, taking it into the back to drink, according to the declaration.

While working as the bartender for a wedding, she repeatedly continued to pour drinks for herself, and later took shots with another employee around 11 p.m., the declaration added.

Cordova and two other workers remained at the business until 4:30 a.m.

“Video surveillance shows them drinking multiple bottles of champagne and Cordova pouring herself more cocktails,” the declaration said. 

After the crash, Cordova reportedly told CHP officers she had taken the “Responsible Beverage Service Training Program” class by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for bartenders within the past year. 

The class “teaches servers to responsibly serve alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption and mitigate alcohol-related harm in California communities,” according to ABC’s website. 

Approximately 15 witnesses told CHP dispatchers Cordova drove the wrong way on Highway 101, with one saying she was traveling 90 mph and weaving between cars. 

“She drove after drinking all night and despite knowing that driving under the influence of alcohol (is) dangerous through her bartender’s training. Cordova’s actions indicate that she chose to engage in a deadly act regardless of the consequences and as a result killed Alma (Alcorta) Lazaro.”

In addition to murder, Cordova has been charged with felony driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury and driving with a 0.08% blood alcohol level causing injury. She also faces a number of special allegations or sentencing enhancements. 

A test taken about four hours after the crash while she was at the hospital revealed her blood alcohol content was 0.26%, or more than three times the legal limit, according to the declaration for the arrest warrant. 

A Santa Maria Superior Court judge issued a warrant Sept. 18 for Cordova’s arrest, and she was still being sought Tuesday.

Alcorta Lazaro’s family set up a GoFundMe account that had raised $11,800 as of Tuesday.