Ex-girlfriend of NY drunk driver who ran over pedestrians slams court for freeing him while facing domestic violence charges
The tearful ex-girlfriend of a stolen car driver who wounded seven during a horrific Manhattan police chase slammed the court for letting the young hellion out on bail in her domestic violence case. The emotional former partner of suspected car thief Kyle Fernandez was seen quietly crying as Manhattan ADA Meaghan Dunigan read out her victim impact statement in Manhattan Supreme Court Thursday.“Two years ago, I experienced one of the most traumatic days of my life,” the statement read.“Kyle Fernandez, someone I once trusted, assaulted me — pushing, punching, and breaking my phone — in an act of violence that left me scared and vulnerable.”The attack took place on Jan.
16, 2023, when Fernandez punched his victim, ripping off her necklaces and smashing her cellphone before cutting her wrist with the cracked screen, according to a criminal complaint. Fernandez, 20, was out on bail in that case when he allegedly stole a car and drove intoxicated during a horror police chase that wounded seven people on Aug.1 of that year.On Thursday, Fernandez was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in both the domestic violence and drunk driving cases.The girlfriend, who remained anonymous, slammed the “system” for letting Fernandez out on bail in the first place — allowing him to drunkenly plow his car through pedestrians, including children.“I lived with the knowledge that the person who harmed me and others was given multiple chances despite his threat to public safety,” the statement went on.
“This experience highlighted how this system often delays justice for victims of domestic violence, and in doing so, risks the safety of others.”He had posted bail in both cases — $7,500 on the assault charges and $50,000 in the drunk driving case.Fernandez’s former beau added that he had “repeatedly demonstrated he lacks the empathy and understanding necessary to be a safe and responsible member of society.”She urged the court and the justice system to “reflec...