Woman Involved in Chase Facing Additional Charges

A Nashua woman who was arrested on charges of theft, operating while deemed a habitual offender and disobeying a police officer by Amherst Police on Wednesday has also been charged by Merrimack Police after leading authorities on a wild chase through three towns before crashing in Nashua.

Merrimack Police arrested Cristy Fernandez, 34, of 11 Atwood Court, Nashua, on charges of driving as a habitual offender, a felony, reckless driving and conduct after an accident in relation to the incident.

Fernandez started a police pursuit when she refused to pull over for an Amherst officer who'd spotted her car leaving the Amherst Walmart around 9:30 a.m. Her Volvo had been identified by loss prevention officers in a shoplifting report to Amherst Police.

Fernandez led police through Amherst into Merrimack where Amherst Police called for assistance. By the time Merrimack Police responded the chase had already moved into Nashua.  

According to Merrimack Police, while Fernandez was speeding through town, she struck an oak tree at the dead end on Thornton Road. While the vehicle was turning around it struck the pursuing Amherst Police cruiser causing minor damage, police say.

Fernandez continued again at a high rate of speed on Thornton Road-West continuing into Nashua on Tinker Road.

Nashua officers picked up the pursuit, but backed off in the area of Manchester Street at Sargeant Avenue due to dangerous speeds. 

The pursuit later ended on Chandler Street where Fernandez reportedly jumped out of her moving vehicle before it collided with a parked vehicle. She was taken into custody by Amherst Police at the time, and transported to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center for treatment of injuries sustained in the incident.

She was released from the hospital and booked in Amherst on the charges there. Merrimack Police later responded to Amherst where they took custody of Fernandez. She was transported back to Merrimack where she was processed and later held at the Hillsborough County House of Corrections on $7,500 Cash bail. 

She was scheduled to appear in Merrimack district court on Nov. 21.