Multiple Crashes, Collisions Reported By Newtown Police

Editor's Note: One or more names in this report have been redacted in light of additional documentation provided regarding this case.

NEWTOWN, CT — A string of motor vehicle crashes, DUI cases, and criminal investigations kept Newtown police busy throughout the final week of May, resulting in multiple citations, court summonses, and one hospital transport.

Single-Vehicle Crash in Newtown Ends in Ditch With No Injuries Reported

A vehicle slid off the road and into a ditch before striking two trees during a nighttime crash on May 23, according to the Newtown Police Department.

Officers said a 2014 Mini Cooper S Countryman was heading westbound on Sawmill Road around 11:08 p.m. when the driver lost control while approaching a left turn. The vehicle reportedly slid on the wet surface through the intersection near Mount Pleasant Road and left the roadway.

The vehicle came to a stop after hitting two trees on the passenger side and coming to rest by a third. Emergency medical services were declined at the scene, and no injuries were reported.

Police issued the driver, identified as Amanda Faircloth of Sandy Hook, a verbal warning for traveling unreasonably fast. The vehicle was towed due to disabling damage.

Driver Charged With DUI After Hitting Utility Pole and Parked Vehicles in Newtown

A Housatonic Drive man was charged with driving under the influence after crashing into a utility pole and two parked vehicles late Friday night, according to Newtown police.

Officers said Jeffrey Shantar, 57, of Newtown, was driving an Audi A5 on Walnut Tree Hill Road near Shady Rest Boulevard around 11:34 p.m. on May 30 when the vehicle left the roadway. The car struck a utility pole and a parked vehicle, which was pushed into a second unoccupied parked car. No injuries were reported among the occupants of Shantar’s vehicle.

Following an investigation, police issued charges for DUI, and for making an improper turn. In Connecticut, the legal blood alcohol content limit for driving is 0.08 percent for those 21 and older.

Shantar was transported to the Newtown Police Department and later released on a $300 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on June 17.

Newtown Driver Loses Control on Curve, Crashes Into Tree

A vehicle sustained heavy damage after veering off Boggs Hill Road and striking a tree Saturday night, according to Newtown police.

Officers said the crash occurred around 10:33 p.m. on May 31, when a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta traveling northeast left the roadway near Willow Brook Lane. The driver, identified as Daniel Walter Stutman of Valley View Road, told police he lost control while descending a hill and navigating a left-hand curve.

The vehicle struck a tree with its front right fender and continued briefly, scraping the length of its right side against the tree. The car sustained disabling damage, including a separated front right tire, and was towed from the scene.

No injuries were reported, and emergency medical services were not requested. Police issued a written warning for failure to maintain the proper lane.

Two Waterbury Teens Face Charges in Connection With Robbery in Newtown

Two 15-year-olds from Waterbury face juvenile court proceedings following an incident on South Main Street in Newtown that police say involved the forcible taking of property from three local youths.

Newtown officers responded to a report of suspicious activity at 49 South Main St. around 4 p.m. on May 28. Following an investigation, police issued juvenile summonses to both teens on charges including third-degree robbery, sixth-degree larceny, and third-degree assault. One of the juveniles was also charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and assault.

No injuries requiring medical attention were reported. Both teens are scheduled to appear in Waterbury Juvenile Court on June 4.

Minor Rear-End Collision Reported on Wasserman Way in Newtown

A minor two-vehicle crash occurred Thursday morning at the intersection of Wasserman Way and Nunnawauk Road, according to the Newtown Police Department.

The incident happened around 7:45 a.m. on May 29. Police said a 2023 Nissan Rogue, driven by Francis Anderson of Seymour, struck the rear of a 2018 Toyota Sienna that had stopped twice while attempting to turn onto Wasserman Way from Nunnawauk Road.

The Sienna, driven by Joseane Deoliveira-Almeida of Newtown, had paused due to eastbound traffic when it was struck from behind. Minor damage was reported to the front of the Rogue and the rear of the Sienna.

No injuries were reported, and emergency services were not requested. A juvenile passenger in the Toyota also reported no injuries. Anderson was issued a verbal warning for following too closely.

Driver Issued Infraction After Backing Into Parked Vehicle in Newtown

A Newtown woman received a traffic infraction after backing her vehicle into a parked car on Ashford Lane and leaving the scene, according to police.

The incident occurred around 4:42 p.m. on May 29, when a 2015 GMC Yukon, operated by Lisa B. Smith of Hyvue Drive, was backing out of a driveway at 2 Ashford Lane. Police said the vehicle struck a parked 2018 Jeep Compass near the driveway to 37 Great Hill Road.

The driver of the parked Jeep, identified as Firmino Garcia of Newtown, reported the incident the following day. No injuries were reported, and neither vehicle required towing.

Smith was cited for unsafe backing.

Driver Injured in Rollover Crash on Berkshire Road in Newtown

A driver was taken to Danbury Hospital following a single-vehicle rollover crash on Berkshire Road near Homer Clark Road, according to Newtown police.

The crash occurred around 4:40 p.m. on May 22. Police said a 2025 Honda Civic Sport, driven by Trevor Dyess of Derby, was traveling eastbound when it crossed the double yellow line, passed through the westbound lane, and left the roadway.

The vehicle struck a mailbox at 195 Berkshire Road and continued on, hitting the guide wire of an Eversource utility pole. The impact caused the car to flip onto its driver’s side, where it came to rest between the pole and a nearby rock wall. The vehicle also struck the wall with its roof during the rollover.

Dyess was treated at the scene by EMS personnel and transported to Danbury Hospital for further evaluation. He received a verbal warning for failure to drive in the proper lane.

Improper Turn Leads to Two-Vehicle Crash on Church Hill Road in Newtown

A two-car crash occurred on Church Hill Road near Dayton Street on the afternoon of May 23 when a driver attempted to make a left turn into a private driveway and collided with an oncoming vehicle, according to Newtown police.

Police said Robert Shields III of Southbury was traveling westbound in a 2007 Audi A4 and attempted to turn left across the eastbound lane when it was unsafe to do so. His vehicle was struck on the right rear corner by the front right corner of an eastbound 2008 Hyundai Elantra driven by Michelle Cyr of Southington.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene due to damage. No injuries were reported, and medical transport was not required. Shields was issued a written warning for making an improper turn.

Newington Woman Faces DUI and Reckless Driving Charges After Rollover Crash in Newtown

A Newington woman is facing multiple charges following a rollover crash on May 25 at the intersection of Sugar Street and Head of Meadow Road, according to the Newtown Police Department.

Police said Amber Alexis Lebron, 29, was driving a vehicle that overturned in a single-car crash. Responding officers conducted a criminal investigation and issued charges for operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, reckless driving, and failure to maintain her lane.

Lebron was released after posting a 7 percent cash surety bond and is scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on June 10. No injuries were reported.

Minor Collision Reported on South Main Street in Newtown

NEWTOWN, Conn. — A two-vehicle crash occurred the evening of May 27 on South Main Street near Button Shop Road, according to the Newtown Police Department.

The incident took place around 6:03 p.m., when a 2021 Subaru Outback, operated by Richard Joseph Link of Easton, was heading northbound and attempting a left turn into a driveway at 266 South Main St. At the same time, a 2020 Jeep Wrangler, driven by Oscar Figueroa of Danbury, was traveling southbound.

Police said the front right bumper of the Jeep struck the rear passenger-side bumper of the Subaru during the turn. Both drivers and a passenger in the Jeep reported no injuries. Neither vehicle required towing.

Link was issued a written warning for failure to grant the right of way at an intersection.

New Haven Man Faces Motor Vehicle Charges in Newtown

A 23-year-old New Haven man is facing multiple motor vehicle violations following a traffic stop in Newtown on May 27, according to police.

Ahirton Quezada Frias was stopped around 5:50 p.m. and cited for driving an unregistered motor vehicle, improper use of a marker plate, operating without minimum insurance, and operating a motor vehicle while his license was under suspension.

Quezada Frias is scheduled to appear in court on June 10. No bond was set.

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