Driver pleads not guilty to hitting two women in Gaslamp after fight

A woman accused of deliberately striking and seriously injuring two female pedestrians in the Gaslamp Quarter after a fight last week pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Annabel Fernandez pleaded not guilty to felony DUI and two counts of attempted murder causing great bodily injury.

The incident happened the morning of January 24, in the 500 block of Fourth Avenue at about 8 a.m., when Fernandez, driving a Kia Optima, drove into two female pedestrians who were crossing the street.

During the investigation, it was discovered that Fernandez had been involved in a physical altercation with both pedestrians prior to the crash.

“Fernandez had exited the location and waited in her car for them to leave before accelerating toward them as they crossed the street,” SDPD Officer David O’Brien said.

The incident was caught on video.

“Our goal here is to seek justice for those two victims to ensure that the public is safe and that something as egregious as this does not happen again,” said Lauren Hugo, the deputy district attorney.

A preliminary hearing is set for May 13.

Both women were taken to a local hospital. There is no update on their condition. Fernandez is ordered to stay away from the two victims.