An Abbeville man is being held in the Pike County Jail on charges of murder and assault stemming from three-vehicle crash near Troy on New Year’s Eve..

Christopher L. Barrow, 33, of Abbeville, was arrested by Alabama State Troopers at approximately 4:45 p.m. Wednesday. He was charged with first-degree murder and first degree assault. His bond was set at $100,000 for the murder charge and $50,000 for the assault charge.

The charges stem from the Dec. 31, 2010, crash that resulted in the death of Francene N. Phillips. Phillips, 32, of Abbeville, was a passenger in Barrow’s 2007 Chevrolet Impala.

According to State Troopers, the preliminary investigation shows that Barrow was driving north on U.S. 231 when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche driven by Christopher V. Valverde, 18, of Troy. Barrow’s vehicle then collided with a 2000 Chevrolet C1500 driven by Norman B. Baxley, 38, of Dothan.

Phillips was pronounced dead at the scene by Pike County Coroner Jerry Williams. Barrow, Baxley, Valverde, and Billy Fulton, a passenger in Baxley’s vehicle, were treated for non-life threatening injuries at Troy Regional Medical Center.

State Troopers continue to investigate the crash and would not release any details surrounding the reasons for the charges.