Fitchburg woman arrested for intentional crash at traffic light, held on bail for domestic incident in June

LEOMINSTER — On Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, at approximately 10:11 a.m., Sergeant Richard Woodward was on traffic detail when he observed two motor vehicles go around another car at the intersection of North Main Street and Washington Street.

(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Sgt. Woodward and Officer Larivee and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)

“This is a one lane road and the two cars had to cross near the other oncoming lane,” Sgt. Woodward said. “I then observed the reason for them going around. I observed a motor vehicle not moving while sitting at the green light.”

Sgt. Woodward drove up to the back of the stopped vehicle thinking it was disabled. However, as he approached, the operator – who was later identified as Edia Fernandez – accelerated at a high rate of speed, pulled up right behind the second vehicle that had passed her at the green light, changed lanes without signaling, and then slammed into the rear of the first vehicle that had passed her.

According to police, Edia R. Fernandez, 29, is a resident of 42 Holt Street, Fitchburg, MA.

Sgt. Woodward stated that he believed Fernandez “became enraged” when the vehicles passed her, and in response, intentionally struck the rear of the first vehicle that had passed her.

“I witnessed the operation of Edia Fernandez’s motor vehicle and it was clear to me that she was enraged,” Sgt. Woodward said. Later adding, “I have probable cause to believe Edia Fernandez intentionally struck Mrs. Cruz’s motor vehicle.”

After Fernandez struck the first vehicle that passed her, Sgt. Woodward pulled up behind Fernandez and activated his emergency lighting.

“I went to render assistance to Edia Fernandez and observed all the airbags, side and front, had been deployed,” Sgt. Woodward said. “I observed Edia Fernandez moving around and it appeared she was grabbing for something. It appeared from my training and experience she could have been reaching for a weapon. I had not identified myself yet and Edia Fernandez could not see me due to the side airbags. I reached in and grabbed Edia’s left hand and asked her to get out. I was not sure if she was still enraged from the incident and was prepared for her to have a weapon. She pulled her hand away and swore.”

Sgt. Woodward then told Fernandez to get out of the vehicle and asked her if she needed medical attention.

“It appeared that her seatbelt was still on, so I told her to release her seat belt,” Sgt. Woodward said. “She yelled that it was released and that she was hurt all over. She got out of the vehicle and I asked her to sit on the median out of the way of traffic. Edia Fernandez refused and stated, ‘what the f*ck was that?’ I then explained to her that I was behind her when she was at the intersection of Washington Street and North Main Street and observed the two vehicles pass her. I told her I was behind her the whole time.”

Fernandez responded saying she pumped her brakes prior to striking the first vehicle that had passed her, whose operator was later identified as Mayra Cruz. According to Sgt. Woodward, Cruz’s vehicle was completely stopped at the light at the intersection of Washington Street and North Main Street when Fernandez struck the back of her vehicle.

“I attempted several times to have Edia Fernandez stay on the median so she would be safe from passing traffic,” Sgt. Woodward said. “Edia Fernandez refused [to stand on the median] and called me an a$$hole.”

Sgt. Woodward then called for another police unit to respond to the scene as well as the fire department. After telling Fernandez to stay on the median one more time, he left her location and went over to see if Cruz was okay.

“She told me she didn’t know if she was hurt and that she was scared,” Sgt. Woodward said. “I told her the fire department was on the way. I went back to Edia Fernandez and asked for identification. She walked into the traffic lane and I told her not to. I explained to her that she needed to get on the curb and away from the traffic or I would place her under arrest. She continued to stay in the lane of travel causing a dangerous situation for both of us. She reached for what I found out later was a wallet from a pocket in her jacket. I again asked her to go to the curb. Edia Fernandez walked back towards the median and said she was getting into her car. Prior to that, Edia Fernandez handed me her license and told me she knows the law and used profanity. Edia Fernandez then got back into her motor vehicle and started screaming. Her behavior was concerning.”

Sgt. Woodward then decided to place Fernandez under arrest for disorderly conduct, operating to endanger, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

“Mrs. Cruz was in the vehicle at the time of the crash and sustained an injury and was transported to the hospital by ambulance,” Sgt. Woodward added.

Sgt. Woodward waited for Officer Garrett Hardy to arrive on scene to place Fernandez under arrest.

“I waited for Officer Hardy and when he arrived, I told Edia Fernandez she was under arrest,” Sgt. Woodward said. “Edia Fernandez was still in her motor vehicle when I spoke to her. When she got out of her motor vehicle, I attempted to grab an arm to place the handcuffs on. Edia Fernandez pulled away from me and moved towards the street again where vehicles were passing. I had to tackle her to the ground to stop her from going into the lane. Edia Fernandez continued to pull her hands away from Officer Hardy and myself. Edia Fernandez attempted to get to her feet by pushing off the ground and trying to kick her legs. I attempted to de-escalate by telling her to calm down. She continued to fight our efforts to place her under arrest. During the struggle, when I brought Edia Fernandez to the ground, she sustained a laceration to her left cheek area from a piercing she had. We escorted Edia Fernandez to the cruiser to secure her prior to EMS arriving. We had to physically push Edia Fernandez into the cruiser because she had braced her left leg against the door frame. Shortly after EMS arrived, she was taken by EMS to the Leominster Hospital for treatment. Edia Fernandez was a small person but was extremely strong when fighting us. Due to my training and experience, I believed that Edia Fernandez was under the influence of drugs, possibly stimulants. I was unable to develop probable cause for operating under the influence of drugs.”

Sgt. Woodward said that after Fernandez was taken to the hospital, he went there as well to speak with Mayra Cruz.

“Mayra told me she was stopped waiting at the light when she was struck from behind,” Sgt. Woodward said. “Because Mrs. Cruz’s vehicle had a tow hitch on the back, it appeared it took most of the damage. Mrs. Cruz’s motor vehicle was parked at CVS. I gave her the key back and told her where her vehicle was located. After speaking to Mrs. Cruz, I went to talk to Officer Hardy who was in Edia Fernandez’s room. When I arrived, Edia Fernandez was threatening the staff and got off the bed. The doctor authorized hospital staff to place Edia Fernandez into restraints. Officers assisted with the procedure and Edia Fernandez fought staff the entire time. Once she was restrained, I cleared the scene and returned to the station to complete my report.”

Officer Hardy said that while she was being restrained by hospital security staff and police, Fernandez pointed at him and stated, “I know where you live and I’m going to f*ck you up.”

“I took this as a threat and believed that Edia could find where I live and come to my house,” Officer Hardy said. Later adding, “I informed Edia that she was going to be charged with the following:

• Threat to Commit a Crime
• Witness Interference and Obstruction of Justice.”

In addition, Officer Patrick Doherty, who also responded to the hospital, said that while Fernandez was being restrained she threatened to have her brother come after him.

“At one point, Edia stated to me that her brother would come after me,” Officer Doherty said. “I believed this to be a threat of violence against me in order to intimidate me. Due to Edia’s statements, I am requesting she be charged with: witness interference and obstruction of justice.”

Fernandez was charged with the following crimes/civil infractions:

1. Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (motor vehicle)
2. Witness/Juror/Police/Court Official, Intimidate (two counts, one for what Fernandez said to Officer Hardy, the other for what she said to Officer Doherty)
3. Disorderly Conduct
4. Resisting Arrest
5. Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
6. Threat to Commit Crime
7. State Highway – Traffic Violation
8. Fail to Signal

Fernandez’s bail was set at $1,500 cash.

Fernandez was arraigned in Leominster District Court on Nov. 26, 2024.

Following her arraignment, Fernandez was held without bail because she violated her probation from the following incident which took place in June.  

Officer Gabrielle Larivee of the Leominster Police Department stated that on June 28, 2024, she and Officer David Rydzefski were dispatched to 16 State Street, Apt. C, in response to a report of a woman yelling and claiming that her phone had been smashed.

“Upon arrival at State Street, security was outside with two females that were yelling at each other and a child,” Officer Larivee said. “I was informed that they had all been drinking tonight.”

Officer Larivee stayed outside and spoke with Kianna Muniz, who stated that her on and off again girlfriend, Edia Fernandez, had shown up at her apartment that day.

Muniz said that after Fernandez showed up at her apartment, she got into her vehicle, and sat in the passenger seat, while Fernandez was in the driver’s seat.

“Edia asked to view Kianna’s cell phone to see if she was talking to anyone else,” Officer Larivee said. “Edia found some messages that she didn’t like and they began arguing in the vehicle. Edia then got out of the vehicle and smashed Kianna’s phone on the pavement.”

According to Officer Larivee, Muniz got out of the vehicle and walked around to the driver’s side to retrieve her phone.

“Kianna picked it up and they began arguing more,” Officer Larivee said. “Kianna stated that Edia then pushed her shoulders with two hands. She didn’t elaborate on the altercation she just stated that they got into it.”

Officer Larivee stated that after she inquired whether Muniz wished to obtain a restraining order against Fernandez, she declined. Muniz also declined medical attention, stating she wasn’t injured in the altercation.

Officer Larivee then spoke with the security guard who witnessed the incident.

“Mark Allen from security heard the yelling and pulled up to the argument,” Officer Larivee recounted. “Mark stated that when he got on scene, he saw Edia push Kianna’s shoulders with both hands then proceed to grab both of Kianna’s arms in the area between the shoulders and the elbows in a forceful manner. Mark then said Edia began feeling Kianna’s bra to see if the cell phone was there. Edia then realized it was in her hand and grabbed her wrist. Mark then was able to separate the two and he said officers arrived shortly after. Mark also voiced concern that Edia was going to drive after drinking with her juvenile daughter in the car.”

Officer Larivee then went into the apartment to speak with Estrella Rodriguez, who is Muniz’s sister in law.

“Estrella was in the bedroom with five juveniles,” Officer Larivee said. “Estrella stated that Edia’s daughter, [name redacted], was the only one that was involved, the other children were in the bedroom the whole time.”

According to Officer Larivee, Rodriguez stated that she did not witness the physical altercation because she was inside at the time.

“Estrella only heard yelling coming from the living room and the physical altercation happened outside,” Officer Larivee said. “I went to the hall where Officer Rydzefski was with Edia. Edia stated that they were in the vehicle and she asked to see Kiana’s phone because she wanted to see if her girlfriend was cheating on her. Edia went through Kianna’s phone and saw messages that Kianna was planning to meet up with a guy tonight. Edia got mad and she said she threw the phone on the ground. Edia stated that she never touched Kianna. I advised Edia that she was under arrest for domestic assault and battery on an intimate partner.”

Officer Larivee placed Fernandez in handcuffs and escorted her to a cruiser.

“While walking Edia out she stated ‘I am going to come for you,'” Officer Larivee said. Later adding, “Edia refused the seat belt. She was transported to the station by Officer Rydzefski and booked by Sergeant [Elvin] Vasquez. DCF was informed of the incident.”

Fernandez was charged with the following for the incident in June:

1. Vandalize Property
2. Assault & Battery on Family/Household Member

Fernandez was arraigned in Leominster District Court on June 28, 2024. Following her arraignment, she was released on her own personal recognizance under the condition that she stay away from/not contact Muniz.

Fernandez attended a pretrial hearing on Aug. 19, 2024, which was continued to September 27, 2024.

Due to her new arrest on Nov. 25, 2024, during her arraignment in Leominster District Court on Nov. 26, 2024, she was held on bail for violating probation.

Her next court date was a pretrial hearing scheduled for Dec. 19, 2024.

Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story was from November, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to get the court documents for the incident. FOIAs are time consuming.

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