A Santa Clarita woman has been charged with murder for stealing a car, then causing a fatal five-vehicle collision on the 210 Freeway, said officials.

Nicole Thibault, 28, of Santa Clarita, was charged with one count of murder, one count of grand theft, six counts of attempted murder and six counts of assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors said on Jan. 22, Thibault reportedly stole a parked truck in San Bernardino. The defendant allegedly drove through red lights at unsafe speeds before entering the 210 Freeway, prosecutors added.

Inside the stolen vehicle was a two-year-old child, sitting in the back seat, according to CHP officials.

About a mile from where the car was stolen, the woman pulled over, carried the boy out of the car and left him on a sidewalk near Temple and H streets, according to authorities.

The child was found safe, said San Bernardino Sheriff’s officials.

The woman then entered the 210 Freeway going the wrong direction, traveling west in the eastbound carpool lane. The fatal crash occurred on the freeway just before Mills Avenue.

Thibault allegedly drove westbound on the eastbound lanes for more than 20 miles, prosecutors said, and then collided head-on with several cars, according to prosecutors.

Responding CHP Units attempted to get into position; however, a pursuit was never initiated, officials said.

“As the Ford F-150 continued traveling wrong-way within the center median of SR-210, for unknown reasons it veered into oncoming traffic and collided with 4 vehicles,” according to CHP officials. “It is unclear where the Ford F-150 entered the freeway and why the suspect was driving wrong-way,”

Daniel Castillo, 69, died from injuries sustained in the crash. Six other victims also suffered injuries, prosecutors said.

The defendant was scheduled to be arraigned Friday, however, the court appearance was continued to Feb. 16 with bail set at $8 million.

If convicted as charged, Thibault faces a maximum possible sentence of 57 years to life in prison.

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