News

Woman who worked four jobs dies while napping in car

Friends say Fernandes was giving
By Rick Couri
Aug 29, 2014

Maria Fernandes seemed tireless. “She used to work like three shifts every day,” one co-worker commented.

However, on Monday, she pulled her car into a parking lot to catch a little sleep between her overnight job and her day shift at another.

She never woke up.

Police in Elizabeth, New Jersey said carbon monoxide poisoning killed Fernandes after a gas can she kept in her car turned over.

Fernandes had just bought the car after years of riding the bus or train. After running out of gas a couple of times, she decided to keep extra fuel with her.

"This sounds like someone who tried desperately to work and make ends meet, and met with a tragic accident," Elizabeth police Lt. Daniel Saulnier told the Newark Star-Ledger.

Friends say Fernandes never made much money but was always willing to share what she had. It was the first day of work she ever missed.

More here.

About the Author

Rick Couri

More Stories