Collisions, Crashes, Threatening Phone Call, Dog Hit & Run: Newtown Police Log Highlights

NEWTOWN, CT — This public information from the Newtown Police Department is accurate as of June 9, 2025. Items reflect charges filed, not convictions.

Low-Hanging Wires Snag Truck in Newtown, Causing Power and Internet Outage

A tractor-trailer traveling along Little Brook Lane became entangled in overhead utility wires Wednesday morning, causing damage to power, internet, and phone lines, according to Newtown police.

The incident occurred around 11 a.m. near 9 Little Brook Lane when the vehicle, driven by Robert William Easton of Meriden and registered to ABF Freight Systems Inc., snagged the low-hanging wires while traveling westbound. As the truck moved forward, the wires were pulled down, resulting in damage to infrastructure owned by Eversource and Frontier Communications.

No injuries were reported, and the vehicle did not require towing.

Responders from the Botsford Volunteer Fire Department and Newtown Highway Department secured the area and closed the roadway to ensure safety. Representatives from both utility companies arrived to restore service.

A commercial vehicle inspection was conducted by a Connecticut State Trooper from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Division, but no criminal violations were found. Easton and the vehicle were released from the scene.

Newtown Teen Stopped by Bystanders After Crash and DUI on Riverside Road

An 18-year-old Newtown resident is facing multiple motor vehicle charges following a crash and subsequent investigation on Riverside Road, according to police.

Officers responded to the area near 49 Riverside Road on the afternoon of June 5 after receiving a report of a motor vehicle evading the scene. Police located a vehicle with disabling front-end damage and identified the driver as Alexandra Pettengill.

An investigation determined that Pettengill had left the roadway near 155 Alpine Circle and struck a tree on private property. She then left the scene but was later stopped by two bystanders who were concerned for her well-being.

Officers determined Pettengill was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs after she did not complete the standardized field sobriety tests to standard.

Pettengill was charged with operating under the influence, evading responsibility involving property damage, and failure to carry an operator’s license. She was released to the custody of her guardians after posting a 7 percent cash surety bond of $35.

A court appearance is scheduled for June 17 at Danbury Superior Court.

Driver Swerves to Avoid Animal, Damages Mailbox in Newtown Crash

A New Haven man crashed his pickup truck into a mailbox Wednesday morning while swerving to avoid an animal in the roadway, according to Newtown police.

The incident occurred around 8:50 a.m. on Hanover Road near the intersection with Sanford Road. Police said the driver, William Emmanuel Torres, 36, was traveling northbound when he attempted to negotiate a curve and an animal entered the roadway. Torres swerved right to avoid it, veered off the road, and struck a large rock before hitting the mailbox at 105 Hanover Road.

The Ford F-350 sustained disabling damage to its undercarriage and had to be towed from the scene. Torres told officers that his head struck the steering wheel during the crash but declined medical attention.

No other injuries were reported. A verbal warning was issued for a restricted turn violation.

Deer Struck by Vehicle on Mt. Pleasant Road in Newtown

A Subaru Crosstrek struck a deer on Mt. Pleasant Road near Saw Mill Road on June 2, resulting in minor vehicle damage but no reported injuries, according to Newtown police.

The collision occurred shortly after 6 p.m. as the vehicle, operated by Dawn Brown of Naugatuck, was traveling northbound. Brown told police that a deer entered the roadway suddenly and the front bumper of her vehicle made contact with the animal. The deer ran off, and Brown said she was unable to determine the extent of its injuries.

Officers reviewed photos submitted to Evidence.com and observed functional damage to the right front headlight and hood. The impact left visible hair and an indentation consistent with deer contact.

No medical transport was required, and the vehicle was not towed from the scene. No enforcement action was taken.

Rear-End Collision Reported on Mt. Pleasant Road in Newtown

Two vehicles sustained minor damage in a rear-end collision on Mt. Pleasant Road near Wippoorwill Hill Road on May 15, according to Newtown police.

The incident occurred around 5:43 p.m. when a Ford Ranger, driven by David Ochs of Hopewell Junction, N.Y., stopped eastbound on Mt. Pleasant Road while waiting to turn into a driveway. A Ford E250 van traveling behind the Ranger failed to stop in time and struck the rear and side of the vehicle with its mirror.

Police said both vehicles sustained minor damage. No injuries were reported, and neither vehicle required towing.

The driver of the Ford E250, identified as Manuel Roger Llanes of Lehigh Acres, FL, was issued an infraction.

Vehicle Strikes Railroad Wall on Botsford Hill Road Curve in Newtown

A New York driver sustained minor injuries after her vehicle left the roadway and struck a railroad overpass wall last week, according to Newtown police.

The crash occurred at approximately 1:48 a.m. on June 2 as a 2024 Mazda was heading westbound on Botsford Hill Road near the intersection with Swamp Road. Police said the driver, identified as Mia Lyann Troetti of Katonah, N.Y., was negotiating a right-hand curve when the vehicle veered left and collided with the overpass wall.

Troetti reported pain in her left knee but declined medical transport. Airbags deployed in the crash, and the vehicle was towed from the scene due to damage.

She was issued a verbal warning for failure to drive in the proper lane.

Minor Collision Reported in Parking Lot of Newtown Towing Business

A minor vehicle collision occurred in the parking lot of Hilario's Towing on May 30 when a truck backed into a parked minivan, according to Newtown police.

The incident took place around 6:05 p.m. on Mt. Pleasant Road. Police said a Volvo truck, operated by Fnu Karankumar of Bellerose, N.Y., was reversing in the lot when it struck the rear of a Dodge Caravan that was parked alongside the building. The impact pushed the minivan several feet.

No injuries were reported, and neither vehicle required towing. Both vehicles sustained minor rear-end damage.

Two Vehicles Towed After Morning Collision at Berkshire and Jordan Hill in Newtown

A two-vehicle crash Thursday morning at the intersection of Berkshire Road and Jordan Hill Road resulted in minor injuries and both vehicles being towed, according to Newtown police.

Police said the incident occurred around 8:05 a.m. when a Land Rover Discovery Sport, operated by Kevin Gatti of Avon, was traveling northbound on Jordan Hill Road and stopped at the stop sign. As Gatti entered the intersection, an eastbound Hyundai Tucson on Berkshire Road, driven by Nuno-Ricardo Saramago-Mendes of Danbury, struck the rear left of the Land Rover while attempting to avoid the collision by veering right.

A passenger in the Hyundai, identified as Joao Victor Lima of New Milford, was also evaluated on scene.

Newtown EMS responded, but no one required transport to a hospital. Both vehicles were removed by a towing service.

Gatti was issued an infraction for failure to grant the right-of-way at a stop sign.

Trailer Hits Parked Car in Newtown Diner Lot

A trailer being towed through the parking lot of the Blue Colony Diner struck a parked Subaru on Friday afternoon, according to Newtown police.

The incident occurred around 1:23 p.m. on June 6 at 66 Church Hill Road. Police said a Ford F-150, operated by William M. Peterson of South Bristol, Maine, was towing a trailer through the lot when the trailer struck the front left side of a Subaru Impreza, which was parked facing northbound.

The impact crumpled the Subaru’s front fender and dislodged the bumper. The Subaru was towed from the scene. No injuries were reported, and police said the crash occurred on private property, so no enforcement action was taken.

The Subaru was registered to Kevin Corey of Newtown. The trailer, along with the truck towing it, was registered to Serpent Scale Systems LLC.

Rear-End Crash on Church Hill Road Results in Written Warning

A rear-end collision involving two vehicles on Church Hill Road near Dayton Street resulted in a written warning but no injuries, according to Newtown police.

The crash occurred shortly before 3 p.m. on June 1 in the eastbound lane. Police said a Honda Civic, driven by Kristen Marie Anzalone of Boston, had stopped to turn into a parking lot at 105 Church Hill Road when it was struck from behind by a Nissan Rogue.

The Nissan was operated by Stephany Da Barros, 16, of Newtown. The impact caused the Rogue to leak automotive fluids onto the roadway, prompting a response from the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Department for cleanup.

Both drivers declined medical treatment and were able to drive their vehicles from the scene. Based on physical evidence and statements from both operators, police issued a written warning to Da Barros for following too closely.

Rear-End Collision on Berkshire Road Results in Minor Injury, Written Infraction

A two-vehicle crash on Berkshire Road Wednesday morning resulted in minor injuries and a written traffic infraction, according to Newtown police.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:47 a.m. on June 4, about 20 feet south of Wasserman Way. Police said a Chevrolet Traverse had stopped for a red light in the northbound lane of Berkshire Road when it was struck from behind by a Volvo S80.

The driver of the Chevrolet, Molly Daly of Sandy Hook, reported neck and head pain but declined medical transport. Three child passengers in her vehicle — Caroline, Claire, and Olivia Daly — were properly secured in child restraint systems and were uninjured.

The Volvo was driven by Kerry Rodgers of Seymour. Both vehicles sustained functional damage, and the Volvo was towed from the scene.

Based on the investigation and physical evidence, police issued Rodgers a written infraction for following too closely.

Newtown Man Faces Threatening Charge After Phone Dispute

A 20-year-old Newtown man is facing a second-degree threatening charge following a phone dispute with a household member, according to police.

On the evening of June 5, officers responded to a report that Michael Kraminsky had made a threatening statement during a phone conversation. The statement, which reportedly included a threat of physical violence, caused the other person involved to fear for their safety.

Police located Kraminsky later that evening at a barbershop in Danbury. Officers from the Danbury Police Department detained him and turned him over to Newtown police, who brought him to the department for processing.

Kraminsky was charged with second-degree threatening. He was released on a $142.86 bond and was scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on June 6.

Newtown Police Respond to Knife Assault and Attempted Carjacking

A Newtown man is facing multiple charges after police say he assaulted two individuals during separate incidents involving a domestic dispute and an attempted carjacking on June 3. More information here.

Driver Hits Traffic Sign While Turning Onto Mile Hill Road in Newtown

A driver struck a traffic sign while making a turn onto Mile Hill Road from South Main Street early on the morning of May 24, according to Newtown police.

The incident occurred around 6:19 a.m. when a Nissan Pathfinder traveling southbound attempted to turn left onto Mile Hill Road. The vehicle struck a curb, veered onto the median, and hit a traffic sign. The signpost and attached “keep right” marker were knocked from their base.

The driver, identified as Maria Gomes of Danbury, told police that the rising sun had obstructed her vision, preventing her from seeing the median or the post. Gomes and a passenger, Andreia Pacheco, were not injured.

The vehicle, owned by Cida Cleaning Services LLC, was not towed. Gomes received a verbal warning for making an improper turn.

Dog Struck by Vehicle on Cedar Hill Road; Driver Cited for Failing to Report

A local driver was issued a citation after striking a family dog with his vehicle on Cedar Hill Road and failing to report the incident, according to Newtown police.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of May 26, when a Subaru Impreza traveling along Cedar Hill Road hit a dog named Bruno after it entered the roadway near 34 Cedar Hill Road. The vehicle continued without stopping.

The dog’s owner, Michelle Class, witnessed the incident and recognized the vehicle as belonging to a neighbor on Dogwood Terrace. A family member transported the injured dog to Newtown Veterinary Specialists on Church Hill Road.

Officers later made contact with the driver, identified as Maxwell Roberts of 6 Dogwood Terrace. According to the report, Roberts initially said he thought he had struck a bag of trash but then questioned whether he was at fault if a dog suddenly entered the road.

Roberts cooperated with the investigation and provided insurance information. He was issued an infraction for failure to report injury or death to a dog caused by a motor vehicle. His answer date was scheduled for June 6.

Minor Collision on Berkshire Road Leads to Written Warning for Lane Violation

A minor collision occurred Friday afternoon when two vehicles turning onto Berkshire Road from Toddy Hill Road came into contact, resulting in slight damage but no injuries, according to Newtown police.

The incident took place around 1:43 p.m. on May 30, approximately 50 feet west of the intersection. Police said a 2008 Ford Escape, driven by George Herbert Appleby of Sandy Hook, was in the right lane designated for left turns, while a 2023 Kenworth commercial truck, operated by James Joseph Stadt of Derby, was in the adjacent left turn lane.

After both vehicles made their turns onto Berkshire Road, the Ford veered into the left side of the truck, causing minor damage to its front bumper. Neither vehicle required towing, and no injuries were reported.

Appleby was issued a written warning for failure to maintain the proper lane.

Rear-End Crash on Glover Avenue Leads to Vehicle Damage and Written Infraction

A two-vehicle collision on Glover Avenue near Queen Street on May 29 resulted in vehicle damage and a written infraction, according to Newtown police.

The incident occurred around 2:42 p.m. Police said a Lexus GX 460, driven by Alexandra Vogdes of Bethel, was stopped at a stop sign when it was struck from behind by a 2018 Honda Accord driven by Kevin Robert Dykes, also of Bethel.

Dykes told officers he believed the vehicle in front of Vogdes had proceeded through the intersection and expected Vogdes to do the same. When she remained stopped, the front of his Honda collided with the rear of the Lexus.

The Lexus sustained damage to its rear bumper and right quarter panel. Although initially driven from the scene, the vehicle later required towing due to body panel damage interfering with the rear wheel. The Honda suffered minor front-end damage but was not towed.

No injuries were reported, and EMS was not requested. Dykes was issued an infraction for following too closely.