NH driver accused of striking man says she felt threatened
NASHUA, N.H.—A New Hampshire woman accused of driving her car toward a group of people and fatally striking one of them following a confrontation told police they surrounded her and she felt scared and threatened.
Ivonne Hernandez, 43, of Nashua, has been charged with second-degree murder, reckless conduct and drunken driving after she allegedly ran into the group, who had just left a bar early May 2. Hernandez also had recently left another bar in the area.
Matthew Beaudoin, 29, of Nashua, was killed. Another woman, Maria Hughes, 21, also was hit and suffered minor injuries.
On Wednesday, Nashua District Court Judge Thomas E. Bamberger determined at a preliminary hearing that there was enough evidence for Hernandez's case to proceed to state superior court. A grand jury will now hear evidence and rule on possible indictments.
It's not clear what started the parking lot dispute; the sequence of events also is not entirely clear. Hernandez told police someone struck her from behind as she tried to get into her car; Detective James Testaverde testified on Wednesday that Hernandez punched one of the women in the group.
At one point, it turned into an exchange about the Yankees and Red Sox, Testaverde testified during a preliminary hearing Wednesday. Hernandez had a Yankees sticker on her rear windshield.
Hernandez, who was in court Wednesday but did not testify or show any emotion, told police four people were taunting her and saying "Yankees suck" after spotting the sticker.
Hernandez allegedly drove away from the group, then turned around and headed directly toward them, Testaverde said.
"There were no brake marks and there was no abrupt turning," said Testaverde, who had taken Hernandez's statement later on May 2. Prosecutor Susan Morrell said Hernandez was traveling at 30 mph.
Hernandez said at one point the group started running toward her, hitting her car and jumping on it. She told police she was frightened and her intention was to scare them away.
Hernandez's lawyer, James Quay, said Testaverde referred to Hernandez as a Yankee fan. "What they did was call her a 'Yankee bitch,' isn't that right?" he said, followed by a vulgar name, Quay said. Testaverde said yes.
Testaverde said Beaudoin was found bleeding in the back of the head with his right eye protruding. He was making gurgling sounds.
Hernandez was taken to a hospital where she received seven stitches. Her blood-alcohol content was .16, double the state's .08 limit. She told police she had had four beers before the incident.
Hernandez will continue to be held without bail. Quay unsuccessfully argued that the charges be dropped.
Members of Beaudoin's family attended the hearing and declined to speak with reporters.
