Crashes, Citations and Disturbances Keep Newtown Police Busy As June Comes To Close

NEWTOWN, CT — A series of crashes, and minor disturbances kept Newtown police busy in recent days, including several multi-vehicle collisions, a traffic violation involving a downed utility pole, and two disorderly conduct cases.

Truck Backs Into Parked Car at Church Hill Road Lot In Newtown

A delivery truck backed into a parked and unoccupied vehicle in the private parking lot at 105 Church Hill Road on June 23, causing minor damage but no injuries, according to the Newtown Police Department.

Police said the 2021 Freightliner truck, operated by Alexis Ortiz Jr. of East Haven, was backing into the lot when its left rear corner struck the left rear corner of a 2013 Subaru Legacy owned by Matthew Thomas Morgan of Sandy Hook.

The incident occurred on private property, and no enforcement action was taken. Neither vehicle required towing.

Two Vehicles Involved in Minor Collision at Grocery Store Lot

A minor two-vehicle crash occurred June 26 in the parking lot of Caraluzzi’s Newtown Market on Queen Street, according to the Newtown Police Department.

A 2011 BMW operated by Sitranie Hensel of Sandy Hook was attempting to pull front-first into a parking space beside a 2014 Subaru Impreza when the BMW’s front bumper struck the Subaru’s rear passenger-side quarter panel, police said. The Subaru was parked and occupied by Kristin Raamot, also of Sandy Hook, at the time.

Both cars sustained minor scrapes and dents, but no injuries were reported. Police noted fresh damage and paint transfer on both vehicles consistent with the account. No enforcement action was taken, as the crash occurred on private property.

Three Transported to Hospital Following Two-Car Crash on South Main Street

Three people were transported to Danbury Hospital following a two-vehicle collision that occurred at the intersection of South Main Street and Country Club Road around 5:34 p.m. on June 27, according to Newtown police.

Police said a 2021 Subaru Outback, driven by Anthony Robert Filiato of Newtown, was traveling northbound on South Main Street and attempted to turn left onto Country Club Road when it was struck by a southbound 2019 Tesla Model 3, operated by Alexander Egil Eriksen of Redding.

The Tesla collided with the rear passenger-side door of the Subaru, resulting in heavy, disabling damage to both vehicles. The front airbags of the Tesla and the side airbags of the Subaru deployed. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

Filiato did not initially report any injuries, but police said he was later transported by Newtown EMS to Danbury Hospital for evaluation. Eriksen and a passenger in the Tesla sustained suspected minor injuries and were also taken to the hospital.

Based on the investigation, police cited Filiato for failure to grant the right of way at an intersection.

Three-Vehicle Crash on Berkshire Road Results in Warning for Following Too Closely

A three-vehicle crash occurred on the afternoon of June 10 along Berkshire Road near Pole Bridge Road, according to Newtown police.

All three vehicles were traveling westbound when the lead vehicle came to a stop for traffic. The second vehicle failed to stop in time and struck the rear of the first. A third vehicle swerved in an attempt to avoid the collision but ultimately struck the rear of the second vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Police issued the second vehicle’s driver a verbal warning for following too closely. None of the vehicles required towing.

Driver Cited After Two-Car Collision at Edmond and Church Hill Roads

A Danbury man received a written warning after a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Edmond Road and Church Hill Road in Newtown on June 26.

According to the Newtown Police Department, both vehicles were heading south on Edmond Road in the right-turn lane, where right turns on red are permitted. The lead vehicle, a 2020 Kia Sorento driven by Andrea Paltauf of Newtown, stopped at the red light before beginning a right turn. Heavy traffic caused the Kia to stop again shortly after entering the intersection.

The second vehicle, a 2020 Ram 1500 pickup driven by John Carlo Romero of Danbury, struck the rear of the Kia. Police said Romero had been following too closely and failed to stop in time.

No injuries were reported, and both vehicles sustained minor damage and were not towed. Romero was issued a written warning for failure to maintain a reasonable distance.

Driver Cited After Crashing Into Utility Pole on South Main Street

A New Milford man received a traffic citation after his vehicle struck a telephone pole on South Main Street on the afternoon of June 29, according to Newtown police.

Justin Fraczek, operating a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox, was traveling northbound when the vehicle left the roadway and collided with a utility pole near Pecks Lane, snapping the pole at its base.

Police said Fraczek declined medical transport after being evaluated at the scene by Newtown Volunteer EMS. A passenger in the vehicle reported a possible injury but was not transported.

The vehicle was towed from the scene, and Fraczek was issued an infraction for violating a restricted turn statute.

Vehicle Scratches Reported at Nunnawauk Meadows

A local woman reported unexplained damage to her vehicle discovered in the parking area of Nunnawauk Meadows on the evening of June 29, according to the Newtown Police Department.

Barbara Highton told officers she observed two vertical scratches on the front driver-side door of her 2016 Chevrolet Spark around 7:50 p.m. The scratches measured approximately four and three inches in length, respectively, and were spaced about an inch apart. Highton said the marks were not present earlier in the day and that the cause of the damage was unknown.

Police documented the incident, which occurred near 3 Nunnawauk Meadows. The vehicle was not towed, and no injuries were reported.

Two Charged in Separate Disturbance Cases in Newtown

Two women were issued misdemeanor summonses on disorderly conduct charges in unrelated incidents in Newtown over the weekend, according to police.

On June 29, officers responded to Bishop Circle and issued a summons to Nicole M. Meyers-Connors, 36, of Southbury. She was scheduled to appear in court on June 30.

Separately, on June 28, police were dispatched to a disturbance at a residence on Gopher Road. Lisa Elizabeth Gilbert, 57, of Newtown, was issued a summons for disorderly conduct. Her court date was also set for June 30.

Driver Cited in Minor Collision on Queen Street in Newtown

A driver received a written warning following a minor two-vehicle collision on Queen Street in Newtown on June 25, according to police.

Kathleen Raftery, 30, of Milford, was driving a 2025 Tesla Model Y southbound on Queen Street behind a 2002 Subaru Legacy operated by Ernestine Mahoney, 84, of Sandy Hook, police said. As Mahoney slowed to make a right turn into a driveway at 6 Queen St., Raftery attempted to pass on the right side. The Tesla's front left corner struck the Subaru's right side, resulting in minor damage to both vehicles.

Neither driver was injured, and airbags did not deploy. Both vehicles were able to leave the scene without requiring towing.

Police issued Raftery a written warning for improper passing on the right.

Deer Collision Causes Vehicle Damage on Mt. Pleasant Road

A vehicle struck a deer on Mt. Pleasant Road near Taunton Lake Road the evening of June 23, resulting in minor damage to the car but no injuries, according to Newtown police.

The driver, identified as Phoebe Lee Khare of Bethel, told officers the deer ran into the roadway as she traveled northbound. The animal was struck but appeared uninjured and ran off following the impact.

The 2017 BMW X3 sustained front-end damage, including a damaged hose in the engine bay. The car did not require towing, and no enforcement action was taken.

Newtown Police Issue Citation Following Two-Vehicle Crash on South Main Street

A two-vehicle crash on South Main Street near Elm Drive on June 24 resulted in a traffic citation for one of the drivers, according to the Newtown Police Department.

Police said traffic was backed up in the southbound lane around 8:34 a.m. when a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe stopped suddenly behind another vehicle. A 2011 Ford Taurus traveling behind the Mercedes failed to stop in time and struck its rear bumper.

No injuries were reported, but the Ford was towed from the scene. Based on statements from both drivers and evidence at the scene, police issued a written warning to the Ford’s driver, Lisa Ann Weed of Sandy Hook, for following too closely.

Newtown Police Cite Beacon Falls Woman for Driving Under Suspension

A Beacon Falls woman is facing multiple motor vehicle violations following a traffic stop on Hawleyville Road, according to the Newtown Police Department.

Police said an officer stopped Kristina Marie Alves, 38, around 3:11 p.m. on June 22. Following a brief investigation, Alves was cited for operating a motor vehicle under suspension and operating or parking an unregistered motor vehicle.

She was summoned to appear in Danbury Superior Court on July 8. No injuries were reported, and no towing services were needed.

Parking Lot Collision Reported at St. Rose of Lima Church

A minor two-vehicle collision occurred June 20 in the parking lot of St. Rose of Lima Church on Church Hill Road, according to police.

A 2021 Dodge Ram 1500, driven by Nicholas Evangelista Lins of Trumbull, was backing out of a parking space when it struck a parked 2020 Mazda CX-9, registered to Brenda Anne Osullivan of Brookfield. The Mazda sustained damage to the driver-side front door, which affected its operation. It was unoccupied at the time.

No injuries were reported, and neither vehicle required towing. Police said no enforcement action was taken as the crash occurred on private property.

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

A three-vehicle collision on June 20 on South Main Street in Newtown resulted in one person reporting minor injuries and one driver receiving a traffic citation, according to police.

The crash occurred around 10 a.m. near the intersection with Greenbriar Lane. Police said a Mazda CX-5, operated by Nicole Marie Bondi of New York, was heading north and came to a stop in the lane while waiting to turn left into a parking lot at 94 South Main St. A Honda Pilot, driven by Kyle Henry O'Brien of Newtown, was directly behind the Mazda and also stopped.

A Mack truck, operated by Thomas Scott Paloian of Newtown, approached from behind and was unable to stop in time. Police said the truck struck the rear of the Honda, pushing it into the back of the Mazda.

O'Brien reported minor injuries but declined medical assistance at the scene. No other injuries were reported, including among three children in the Honda, all of whom were properly restrained and uninjured.

The Honda was towed due to moderate damage to its left rear quarter panel. The truck had minor front-end damage and did not require towing, while the Mazda sustained rear-end damage but remained operable.

Paloian was issued an infraction for following too closely.