A 'suicidal' California woman deliberately drove into oncoming traffic killing an aspiring doctor, a court heard.

Wheelchair-bound Grace Elizabeth Ward appeared in court in a wheelchair on Thursday after the crash on the Interstate 5 last month, which killed father-of-two Ryan Folsom.

She is now facing one charge of second-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of vandalism.

Wheelchair-bound Grace Elizabeth Ward, appearing on court Thursday, told investigators that she deliberately carried out the maneuver because she wanted to kill herself

Ryan Folsom (above) had two sons aged four and two with his wife expecting their third child in January

She reportedly told investigators that she deliberately carried out the maneuver because she wanted to kill herself,Krcrtv.com reported.

Folsom, a college football star, was just starting a medical career and was preparing to welcome his third child when he was killed by Ward's car near Redding on the night of January 7.

Ward, 28, is alleged initially to have unsuccessfully tried to cross the center median where she collided with the cable barrier.

She was eventually able to get her vehicle through the cable by finding an opening meant for emergency vehicles.

Ward is then alleged to have stopped her vehicle, facing in a south-westerly direction between the northbound and southbound lanes.

Officials say she waited in that area for about seven minutes before accelerating her vehicle into oncoming traffic by traveling northbound in the southbound lanes.

Three vehicles narrowly managed to avoid collisions with Ward before she struck Folsom's car.

The 'suicidal' California woman deliberately drove into oncoming traffic killing an aspiring doctor, a court heard (pictured is victim Ryan Folson's smashed up car)

Ward crashed into him with such force that his car ended up in the ditch adjoining the freeway

Ward's car was also damaged and appears to have flipped after colliding with Folsom

Pictures show the severe damage that was inflicted on his Honda Accord when Ward crashed into him

Ward is now facing murder charges over the crash on the Interstate 5 in California

A witness at the scene told KDRV she tried to save Folsom's life.

She said she felt for his pulse, which was there, but he was unable to speak.

'It was really faint but it was there,' she said of his pulse. 'We were just talking to him telling him help was on the way, we're here, you are not by yourself. we got no response it was just nothing.'

Folsom, 29, from San Antonio, Texas, was rushed to hospital but died a short time later.

The father-of-two, whose wife Lauren was pregnant with their third child, was a former walk-on running back with the Cougars from 2010-11.

A GoFundMe page set up for the Folsom family stated that he was traveling to an interview for a residency position as a doctor when Ward crashed into him. The interview was one of many that he'd set up.

'He loved the Avengers and anything superhero related, perhaps because he loved the idea of filling that role in any capacity,' stated the GoFundMe page, which has already raised more than $300,000.

Folsom, (pictured with his wife) a college football star, was just starting a medical career and was preparing to welcome his third child when he was killed by Ward's car near Redding on the night of January 7

Folsom was a father of two and his wife was pregnant with their third child

'He loved being the superhero for his two boys, he loved the idea of being a doctor and saving lives.'

Folsom was all-state in football and wrestling as a senior. He had 10 carries for 97 yards while with the Cougars.

He was the offensive player of the year in the Southern Oregon Conference and earned second-team all-state accolades as running back and linebacker in the Les Schwab Bowl for senior all-stars.

Coach Rod Rumrey, of North Medford High's Black Tornado, told the Mail Tribune that Folsom was the 'heart and soul of the team.'

'I cared about all my players,' he said, 'but Ryan was special.'

Ward (above) is alleged to have hit Folsom's car with such force that it ended up in the ditch adjoining the freeway - he died in hospital and she suffered a broken leg

'I don't think it mattered what the situation was,' said his teammate Tim Endecott, 'or who we were playing or how bad of a practice we had or how much Rumrey yelled at us, I don't think he ever frowned or got down on anybody.'

Jason Slowey, another former teammate of Folsom's, added: 'He was one of those guys who was successful in everything he did. And he did it the right way. He was a really good role model.

'I think it's rare, especially in high school, when someone your age can be a true leader and someone everyone looks up to. He was that person.'

Folsom was killed when Ward crashed into him with such force that his car ended up in the ditch adjoining the freeway. He died in hospital and she suffered a broken leg.

One driver told Krcrtv that she seemed determined to cause a collision and that it was only a question of time before she did so.

Investigators who arrived at the scene of the accident say they found a cell phone on the ground near Ward's vehicle which she used to call her mother prior to the crash.

She is reported to have told her that she wanted to kill herself and ended the conversation shortly before she accelerated towards oncoming traffic.

Folsom was a husband, father, and aspiring doctor who was on his way to attend interviews as part of his training.

He had two sons aged four and two with his wife expecting their third child in January.

Folsom pictures provided by redaspenphotography.com.