A Montgomery woman has been convicted in a 2022 traffic crash that killed a 17-year-old Tallassee girl.

An Elmore County judge on Wednesday convicted 45-year-old Yolanda Hurst of criminally negligent homicide in the death of Bethany Faith Walters, a graduate of Tallassee High School.

District Attorney CJ Robinson said Hurst was previously convicted in front of District Judge Glenn Goggans, and she appealed the conviction to circuit court.

Criminally negligent homicide is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail.

The crash happened about 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 26, 2022, on Alabama Highway 229, about six miles south of Tallassee.

Walters was driving her Honda Accord when she was hit head on by Hurst, who was driving a Toyota Camry.

Walters was pronounced dead at a hospital a short time later.

Walters was also convicted of third-degree assault, reckless driving, driving while license revoked, improper lane usage and speeding.

Circuit Judge Joy Booth will sentence Hurst on March 3.

“The loss of life of a young, vibrant 17-year-old girl is a heavy weight to have to reconcile,’’ Robinson said. “Bethany’s family has been devastated by this avoidable tragedy, and the world is a darker place without her presence in it.”

“I hope the Walters family can find peace as the legal process has been brought one step closer to an end,’’ the district attorney said.