Oklahoma man charged with murder in deaths of 3 in car crash

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - The man accused of crashing into a suburban Oklahoma City high school cross-country team and killing three student athletes has been charged with second-degree murder.

Max Leroy Townsend was initially charged with manslaughter. But court records show the 57-year-old’s charge was upgraded on Monday.

He’s accused of crashing into members of the Moore High School cross-country team as they ran outside their school in February.

Three died and four were injured.

Townsend previously pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.

Police have said Townsend was under the influence of alcohol, driving nearly 80 miles per hour and crossed two lanes of traffic when he crashed into them.