A man charged with murder in a fiery traffic crash that killed a 17-year-old girl smelled of alcohol and told police he had been drinking, according to a newly released court records.

A Morgan County judge on Tuesday ordered Kevin Jay Penich, 35, to be ordered held without bond on his murder charge. The order followed an Aniah’s Law bond hearing before a Morgan County judge.

Killed in the crash was Chloe Rose Hastings, who was described by Hartselle First Methodist Student Ministry as “a ray of sunshine wherever she went with a heart of generosity and kindness.

Hasting’s funeral is set for Thursday.

The wreck happened at 9:02 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Beltline Road S.W. and Westmeade Street.

Responding officers were told the driver was trapped inside.

When first responders arrived, they found Hasting’s Chevrolet Equinox engulfed in flames.

Prior to their arrival, multiple passersby stopped and tried to help, police said. Hasting’s SUV exploded, seriously injuring a Good Samaritan who police labeled a hero.

Hastings was pronounced dead on the scene.

Court records state Penich’s Toyota Camry had heavy front-end damage. “Penich said that he had been drinking and smelled of alcohol,” according to his arrest warrant.

Charging documents allege Penich was also speeding and noted that Hasting’s SUV had been knocked between 80 to 100 feet from the point of impact.

Hasting had just finished her junior year at Priceville High School.

According to her obituary, she was employed as a hostess for the Olive Garden Restaurant in Decatur and as a baker and decorator for The Cookie Company.

“She loved her School and was a manager for the Priceville High School Bulldog’s football and softball teams,” the obituary reads. “She was very big on school spirit.”

“Chloe Rose was very crafty with paint and most arts,” the obituary says. “She especially loved her brothers and sisters.”