A 19-year-old Chinese student was shot to death by a US woman after a collision between their cars at a busy intersection in Arizona on Saturday afternoon.

The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Holly Davis, was arrested and booked on three charges including a first-degree murder, according to AP.

Jiang Yue was confirmed to be a student at Arizona State University, said Jerry Gonzalez, spokesman of the University.

The tragedy happened at around 3 pm on Saturday when Davis reportedly got off her car and fired several shots into Jiang's car after their cars collided near Broadway Road and McClintock Drive, according to local police.

Besides hurting Jiang and her passenger, those shots made Jiang lose control of her car, which then struck another vehicle carrying a family, including a pregnant woman and three children.

Screenshots show local police investigating the shooting. [Photo/Weibo.com]

Jiang and her passenger, and also the family were taken to a local hospital later. Jiang was announced dead, while the others with minor injuries were kept in hospital for monitoring.

The suspect fled from the scene but was later caught.

According to local police report, the suspect admitted she was using Oxycodone drug.

"We just want to say that fellow students are being encouraged to talk with counselors, and that our thoughts and prayers are with the student's family," Gonzalez said in a statement.