Halstead, 36, died around 5:30 a.m., hours after her Los Angeles-based band finished a show at a downtown music club.

State police said she was riding in a car driven by William McAllister, 33, of Burbank, Ill. Witnesses estimated McAllister’s speed at more than 100 mph, and he apparently had been drinking, said Trooper Todd Marchand.

The wreck began when McAllister was changing lanes and sideswiped another car. McAllister’s car then went out of control, skipping across a grassy median and into oncoming traffic, police said.

A car driven by Robert Fenkel, 50, of Colorado Springs, Colo., broadsided the Corvette, nearly shearing it in half, police said. Fenkel was hospitalized but his injuries were not described as life threatening.

Charges against McAllister were pending completion of the accident investigation, Marchand said.

Betty Blowtorch had received national exposure, including an appearance in the film “Bubble Boy” this past summer. Before starting the band, Halstead had fronted the Los Angeles-based hardcore punk outfit Butt Trumpet.