Police: Methuen woman intentionally crashed car into Haverhill bar

HAVERHILL, Mass. — A 24-year-old Methuen woman is being held without bail after police said she intentionally crashed her car into a Haverhill bar Wednesday night. Cassandra Cabrera is charged with assault to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and a handful of other charges after the incident at Moonshiners Lounge at 103 Washington St.

According to a police report, Moonshiners’ manager Kyle Bell told officers he refused to serve Cabrera and her friend because Cabrera appeared intoxicated and began to “pick a fight” with another patron. The report said Bell escorted them out the bar and Cabrera returned in a Jeep about 20 minutes later.

“Kyle stated that he went outside, and that he observed Cassandra look in the direction of himself and Moonshiners. Kyle stated that Cassandra then ‘gunned it’ towards his direction,” the police report said.

Bell told police he believed Cabrera intentionally drove towards him and the bar. He was able to get out of the way, but the crash caused “significant damage to Moonshiners, sending debris in the area, which struck patrons,” according to the report.

“Next thing I know she’s just driving the truck basically straight at the building,” Stephen Morelli said.

Morelli was outside smoking a cigarette and suffered a broken shoulder when the Jeep plowed into him.

“It was definitely intentional. She was after someone,” Morelli said. “When I felt the car hit, I literally couldn’t believe she hit, and then I couldn’t believe I was alive.”

“Lucky I was in the corner, and the brick wall of the building stopped her from completely getting me,” one witness texted Boston 25 News reporter Jason Law. “I only have some cuts and scrapes and a small burn on my wrist from the grill of her Jeep stopping in front of me.”

No one suffered any life-threatening injuries. Police said Cabrera left the scene driving the wrong way down Wingate Street and crashed into a truck, causing a chain-reaction crash involving three other vehicles.

“Someone could have died, it’s scary. Over just trying to get into a bar,” said Rob Giallongo, the owner of Keon’s 105 Bistro next door to Moonshiners. “It’s kind of nuts.”

Officer Mark Andrukaitis noted in his report he believed alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash. Cabrera will back in court for a status hearing Sept. 1.

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