Crashes, Citations, and Court Dates: Newtown Police Log Highlights

NEWTOWN, CT — A head-on collision on Poverty Hollow Road sent one driver to the hospital and left both vehicles heavily damaged Friday evening, according to Newtown police.

The crash occurred around 6:24 p.m. near the intersection of Hopewell Road. Police said a Mercedes-Benz C300 traveling southbound crossed the double yellow lines into the northbound lane and struck a Honda CR-V head-on.

The driver of the Mercedes, identified as Seeletso Cornelius Mokgosi of Redding, was evaluated at the scene and reported no injuries. The Honda’s driver, Lynn E. Ambrose of Fairfield, was transported to Danbury Hospital by the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps with suspected injuries.

Both vehicles were disabled and towed from the scene. Police issued Mokgosi an infraction for failure to maintain lane.

Three-Vehicle Collision Reported in Farrell Court Parking Lot

A low-speed, three-vehicle collision occurred Sunday afternoon in the parking lot of 5 Farrell Court, resulting in functional damage to all vehicles but no reported injuries, according to Newtown police.

The incident happened at approximately 2:15 p.m. when a Volkswagen GTI, traveling eastbound through the lot, collided with the rear of a vehicle backing out of a parking space. The impact pushed the rear of the reversing vehicle—a State of Connecticut-owned vehicle—into a nearby parked Mercedes-Benz, causing additional damage.

Police said the Volkswagen struck the right rear corner of the reversing vehicle, which then made contact with the right rear of the Mercedes. All three vehicles remained drivable, and no tow services were required.

No citations were issued in connection with the incident. No injuries were reported by any of the individuals involved.

Driver Cited After Two-Vehicle Crash on Main Street in Newtown

A Danbury man was evaluated at Danbury Hospital after a two-vehicle crash early Friday morning in Newtown that occurred when one driver attempted to pass another in a no-passing zone, according to police.

The crash took place at approximately 5:36 a.m. on May 16 near the intersection of Main Street and Currituck Road. Police said a 2015 Honda Civic, driven by Calisto Yepez of Danbury, was traveling southbound behind a Mack truck when it crossed the centerline in an attempt to pass.

As the truck began turning left onto Currituck Road, the Honda entered the northbound lane and struck the front driver's side of the truck, driven by Willian Geraldo Marques of Danbury.

Yepez was transported by Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps to Danbury Hospital with suspected minor injuries. Marques was not injured. The Honda sustained disabling damage and was towed from the scene, while the truck had minor front-end damage.

Yepez was issued an infraction for passing in a no-passing zone.

School Bus Strikes Tree Limb While Reversing in Newtown, No Injuries Reported

A school bus sustained minor damage Friday afternoon after it struck a tree limb while reversing onto Kaechele Drive from Turkey Roost Road, according to Newtown police.

The incident occurred around 3:03 p.m. when the bus, owned by All Star Transportation and operated by Amanda Lynn Stewart of Newtown, was backing eastbound down Turkey Roost Road and then northbound onto Kaechele Drive.

Police said the rear right window of the 2017 Blue Bird bus was knocked out of place when it came into contact with a cut tree limb. The tree itself did not sustain significant damage.

No injuries were reported, and no enforcement action was taken.

Rear-End Collision on Wasserman Way Involves Two Vehicles, No Injuries

A two-vehicle crash occurred Saturday afternoon on Wasserman Way near the intersection of Berkshire Road when a Toyota RAV4 struck a Tesla Model Y from behind, according to Newtown police.

The incident happened around 4:19 p.m. as both vehicles were stopped at a red light in the eastbound right lane, where a right turn on red is permitted. The Tesla, driven by Marina S. Lavaredas of Monroe, had begun turning right to merge onto southbound Berkshire Road when an ambulance with activated lights and siren approached.

Lavaredas stopped to yield to the emergency vehicle, at which point the RAV4, operated by Suliaman Shah Wardag of Slingerlands, N.Y., struck the Tesla from behind. No injuries were reported, and neither vehicle required towing.

Police attributed the crash to Wardag’s failure to maintain a reasonable following distance and issued a verbal warning.

Southington Man Faces Charges in Newtown Investment Fraud Case

A Southington man is facing multiple charges following an investigation into fraudulent documents submitted to a Newtown investment firm in an attempt to access funds from a deceased individual's account, according to Newtown police.

Edward Pratte, 42, of McKenzie Drive, is charged with two counts each of second-degree larceny, first-degree attempted larceny, and second-degree forgery. Police said the charges stem from a complaint filed in November 2024, in which a resident reported that Pratte had presented fraudulent documentation in an attempt to withdraw funds from an estate.

Following an investigation, police obtained a warrant and made contact with Pratte, who later appeared at the Newtown Police Department for processing. He was released after posting a $20,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on June 12.

Driver Cited After Two-Vehicle Collision at Sugar Street Intersection

A two-vehicle crash occurred Thursday morning at the intersection of Sugar Street and Elm Drive after one driver failed to obey a stop sign, according to Newtown police.

The incident took place around 8:38 a.m. when a BMW traveling northbound on Elm Drive entered the eastbound lane of Sugar Street and struck the rear passenger side of a Toyota Tundra. Police said the Toyota attempted to swerve left to avoid the collision but was unable to do so.

Both vehicles sustained damage and were towed from the scene. No injuries were reported.

The driver of the BMW, identified as Keith Erwin of Bethel, was issued an infraction for failure to obey a stop sign. The second driver, Nathan Mack Hannan, also of Bethel, was not cited.

Improper Turn Leads to Two-Vehicle Crash on South Main Street

A two-vehicle collision occurred Thursday morning on South Main Street near the intersection of Country Club Road after a driver attempted a left turn and struck an oncoming vehicle, according to Newtown police.

The crash took place around 10:59 a.m. when a BMW traveling northbound began to turn left toward Country Club Road and collided with a southbound Volkswagen Jetta that had the right of way. The right rear section of the BMW struck the front of the Jetta during the turn.

Both vehicles sustained damage and were towed from the scene. No injuries were reported among the drivers or passengers.

The driver of the BMW, identified as Kendall Fiorillo of Newtown, was issued an infraction for making an improper turn.

Police Investigate Collision Involving Stolen Vehicle Near Newtown School

A stolen vehicle collided with another car the morning of May 7, near Hawley Elementary School while attempting to evade police, according to the Newtown Police Department.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:33 a.m. on Church Hill Road near The Boulevard. Police said a Ford Transit Connect, reported as stolen, was traveling westbound and driving aggressively as it attempted to bypass stopped traffic. A school traffic agent had halted traffic at the time.

As the vehicle maneuvered to pass, it struck the driver's side of a Toyota RAV4 that was stopped in the westbound lane. Both vehicles sustained damage. The driver of the Ford did not stop and continued westbound.

No injuries were reported, and the incident remains under investigation.

Three-Vehicle Crash on South Main Street Results in Minor Injuries and Citation

A three-vehicle crash on South Main Street resulted in one person being taken to the hospital and significant property damage after a vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic, police said.

The crash occurred at approximately 7:18 p.m. on April 26, about 385 feet south of Pecks Lane. A Lexus traveling southbound sideswiped a northbound Subaru Outback after crossing the double yellow center lines, according to Newtown police. The impact pushed the Subaru into the southbound lane, where it struck a Jeep Cherokee traveling behind the Lexus.

Following the collisions, the Lexus veered off the road, struck a tree, and came to rest in the parking lot of 137 South Main Street. The Subaru and the Jeep spun and came to rest in the southbound lane.

The passenger of the Subaru, identified as Virginia Drap of Sandy Hook, sustained suspected minor injuries and was transported to the hospital. Other occupants in all vehicles, including two young children in the Lexus, were not injured.

Police issued an infraction to the Lexus driver, Gerard Vielot of Bridgeport, for failure to drive right. All three vehicles were towed from the scene. The crash also caused damage to a tree and lawn on nearby private property.

Driver Hospitalized After Truck Crashes Into Rock Wall on Eden Hill Road

A 68-year-old Easton man was hospitalized following a single-vehicle crash on Eden Hill Road in Newtown on May 10, according to local police.

The incident occurred around 4:53 p.m. near 84 Eden Hill Road. Police said a Ford F-250 Super Duty pickup, traveling southbound, veered across the center line, crossed the northbound lane, and ran off the road before crashing into a rock wall on the opposite shoulder.

After the initial impact, the truck continued forward and became lodged on top of the wall with all four wheels off the ground. The driver, identified as James F. Reppucci, sustained serious injuries and was treated on scene by emergency medical personnel before being taken to Danbury Hospital by Newtown Ambulance.

The vehicle was removed from the scene using a wrecker and rotator due to extensive damage. The crash remains under investigation.

New Haven Man Faces DUI Charge in Connection With 2023 Newtown Crash

A New Haven man is facing a charge of driving under the influence in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in 2023 in the Sandy Hook section of Newtown, police said.

Tristan Powell, 35, was taken into custody on May 18 under a warrant issued following an investigation into a crash that happened on Sept. 23, 2023, near the intersection of Berkshire Road and Old Mill Road. He is accused of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Powell was released on a court-ordered promise to appear and is scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on May 27. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

Two Vehicles Towed After Collision at Queen Street and Glover Avenue

A two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Queen Street and Glover Avenue on May 15 resulted in disabling damage to both vehicles, though no injuries were reported, according to Newtown police.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:24 a.m. when a Volkswagen Jetta, stopped in the northbound left-turn lane on Glover Avenue, entered the intersection and struck the front of a southbound Ford Mustang traveling on Queen Street.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene due to the extent of the damage.

Police issued the driver of the Volkswagen, identified as Mackenzie Leann Hanson of Monroe, an infraction for failure to obey a stop sign. The second driver, Kenneth Patrick Ballard of Newtown, was not cited.

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

A minor two-vehicle crash occurred the afternoon of May 15 on Mt. Pleasant Road near the intersection with Old Bethel Road, according to Newtown police.

The incident took place around 3:41 p.m. when a Toyota Tundra, traveling eastbound, stopped for traffic. A Jeep Cherokee following behind failed to stop in time and struck the rear of the Tundra.

Both vehicles sustained minor damage, and no injuries were reported.

The driver of the Jeep, identified as Alex Rae Cooke of Danbury, was issued a written warning for following too closely.

No Injuries Reported in Two-Vehicle Crash at Sugar Street and Elm Drive

A minor two-vehicle collision occurred May 15 at the intersection of Sugar Street and Elm Drive, according to Newtown police.

The crash happened at approximately 3:58 p.m. when a Honda Pilot, turning left onto Sugar Street from Elm Drive, struck a Subaru Crosstrek traveling eastbound on Sugar Street.

No injuries were reported, and both vehicles remained drivable.

The driver of the Honda, identified as Stephanie Anne Kasmin of Southbury, was issued an infraction for failure to obey a stop sign. The driver of the Subaru, Erin Ferraro of Woodbury, received a verbal warning for operating an unregistered motor vehicle.

Minor Collision on South Main Street Results in Written Warning

A two-vehicle collision occurred Saturday morning on South Main Street near Elm Drive, resulting in minor damage but no reported injuries, according to Newtown police.

The incident took place at approximately 10:06 a.m. when a Hyundai Tucson, driven by Sherri M. Gillotti of New Fairfield, was attempting a left turn into a driveway at 77 South Main Street. At the same time, a Subaru Outback, operated by John Irwin Boxberger of Newtown, was exiting a driveway at 79 South Main Street to make a right turn onto South Main.

As both vehicles entered the roadway, the front of the Hyundai struck the left side of the Subaru. Police said the impact caused functional damage to both vehicles, but all occupants, including two children in the Subaru, were uninjured.

Boxberger was issued a written warning for failure to grant the right of way when entering the road from a driveway.

Driver Cited After Rear-End Collision on Platts Hill Road

A two-vehicle collision on Platts Hill Road Friday evening resulted in significant vehicle damage but no injuries, according to Newtown police.

The crash occurred at approximately 5:10 p.m. near the intersection of White Oak Farm Road. Police said a Hyundai Elantra traveling eastbound struck the rear of a Toyota Highlander as the Toyota was pulling over to the shoulder.

The Hyundai sustained disabling damage and was towed from the scene, while the Toyota remained operable. Both drivers and a passenger in the Toyota were uninjured.

The Hyundai’s driver, identified as 20-year-old Da Rocha David of Danbury, was issued an infraction for following too closely. He also received a written warning for operating a vehicle while using a hand-held mobile device.