Multiple Crashes, Citations, And Hospitalizations Reported Across Newtown Over Busy Week

NEWTOWN, CT — A series of traffic incidents across Newtown this July included multiple crashes, hospital transports, and driver citations, according to reports from the Newtown Police Department.

Two Hospitalized After Two-Vehicle Crash on Church Hill Road

Two people were transported to Danbury Hospital following a two-vehicle collision that occurred around 12:45 p.m. on July 15 in the area of Church Hill Road near Ardi Court, according to the Newtown Police Department.

The crash involved a 2023 Mini Cooper S Hardtop 2-door, which sustained damage and was towed from the scene. The extent of the injuries to the occupants was not immediately known.

Police are continuing to investigate the incident. Anyone with information or who may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact Officer Maryhelen McCarthy and refer to case number 25000010297.

Single-Vehicle Crash on Swamp Road Sends One to Hospital, Causes Utility Pole Damage

A single-vehicle crash on Swamp Road near Route 25 in Newtown sent one person to the hospital and caused minor damage to a utility pole Saturday evening, according to a report from the Newtown Police Department.

The incident occurred around 7:52 p.m. on July 19 when a 2016 Hyundai Sonata traveling east on Swamp Road left the roadway and struck Frontier utility pole #6366, located near the mailbox for 21 Swamp Road. Police said the vehicle was being driven by Jonathan Andrew Defalco, 31, of New Haven, who told officers he was using GPS while driving to pick up an item from Facebook Marketplace and did not recall how the collision happened.

The vehicle’s front seat passenger, identified as Anacaren Itzmoyotl-Cordero, 34, of Branford, reported arm pain and was transported by Newtown Ambulance to St. Vincent's Hospital. Two children in the back seat were evaluated on scene and found to be uninjured. Defalco also reported no injuries.

Airbags deployed in the front seats, and the Hyundai was towed from the scene due to the extent of damage. Frontier Communications responded and assessed minor damage to the base of the utility pole but determined it remained structurally sound. No damage was reported to the nearby mailbox.

No enforcement action was taken in connection with the incident.

Driver Mistakes Pedal, Crashes Into Newtown Restaurant, Causing Structural Damage

A vehicle struck the front entrance of New Main Moon restaurant in Newtown on Saturday afternoon after the driver mistakenly accelerated while attempting to park, according to police.

The incident occurred around 4:19 p.m. on July 19 in the parking lot of 23 Barnabas Road. Police said the driver of a 2005 Subaru Legacy, identified as David Oleary, 23, of Newtown, was pulling into a parking space when he mistakenly pressed the gas pedal instead of the brake.

The vehicle continued forward, hitting the exterior wall and front door of the restaurant. The car sustained disabling front-end damage and was towed from the scene by the owner. No injuries were reported.

The Newtown Fire Department responded due to fluid leakage and to assess the building’s condition. The restaurant was ordered to halt operations until the structure could be inspected and cleared by the town building department.

Tree Falls Onto Moving Truck on New Lebbon Road in Newtown, Causing Vehicle Damage

A tree fell onto a moving pickup truck on New Lebbon Road on the afternoon of July 15, causing vehicle damage but no reported injuries, according to Newtown police.

The incident occurred near the intersection with Aspen Lane around 12:27 p.m., when a 2022 Ford F-250 Super Duty owned by Edland Landscaping LLC was traveling eastbound. Police said the tree, located on the westbound shoulder, suddenly fell into the roadway and struck the truck.

The tree hit the left rear section of the truck's roof and rear door, then continued to strike the left rear fender of the truck bed.

The driver, Milian Edi Barrera, and passenger, Christopher Dolmoz, both of Bridgeport, were wearing seatbelts and were not injured. The vehicle did not require towing.

No citations were issued, and the investigation was closed without enforcement action.

Minor Collision Reported on Botsford Hill Road, One Driver Cited

A two-vehicle collision on Botsford Hill Road in Newtown on the morning of July 10 resulted in minor vehicle damage but no reported injuries, according to the Newtown Police Department.

Police said a 2013 Audi A6 was traveling southbound near High Rock Road around 7:57 a.m. when the driver slowed to turn left onto High Rock Road. A 2013 Hyundai Elantra following behind was unable to stop in time and struck the rear of the Audi.

The Hyundai sustained damage to the front right bumper, while the Audi was damaged on the right rear bumper. Neither vehicle required towing, and both drivers reported no injuries. Airbags were not deployed.

Following the investigation, the driver of the Hyundai, identified as Ryne Scott Tompsen of Milford, was issued a written warning for following too closely.

Rear-End Crash Reported on Washington Avenue and Pearl Street

A two-vehicle collision occurred on Washington Avenue near the intersection with Pearl Street on the morning of July 12, according to the Newtown Police Department.

Police said a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse, driven by Michael Lawlor, 18, of Sandy Hook, was traveling southbound behind a 2018 Acura RDX operated by Kim Venezia, also of Sandy Hook. Venezia slowed to make a left turn onto Pearl Street, and Lawlor’s vehicle was unable to stop in time, resulting in a rear-end collision.

Both vehicles sustained minor damage and were not towed from the scene. No injuries were reported by either driver, and airbags did not deploy.

Lawlor was issued a written warning for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart.

Driver Cited After Single-Vehicle Crash Damages Guardrail on Mile Hill Road

A Bridgeport woman was cited after her vehicle crossed the center line and struck a guardrail along Mile Hill Road on the night of July 19, according to the Newtown Police Department.

The single-vehicle crash occurred around 10:05 p.m., approximately 75 feet east of Queen Street. Police said the driver, Janeen Jewels Gomez, 28, was traveling westbound in a 2011 BMW 5 Series when she lost control while descending a hill. The vehicle crossed over the double yellow line and collided with the guardrail on the eastbound shoulder.

A witness traveling behind the vehicle at the time told police the BMW was not speeding, but suddenly veered left and struck the barrier.

The front end of the BMW sustained disabling damage and began leaking automotive fluids. Firefighters from Newtown Hook and Ladder responded to mitigate the spill, and the car was towed from the scene. Roughly 45 to 50 feet of state-owned guardrail was damaged.

Gomez was not injured and declined medical attention. Two passengers — a woman from New Haven and a man from Bridgeport — reported minor injuries, including a small laceration and a forehead bump, but declined EMS evaluation at the scene.

Following an investigation, police issued Gomez infractions for failure to maintain the proper lane of travel and improper operation of a vehicle with out-of-state plates.

Deer Collision Reported on Pine Tree Hill Road

A Newtown driver struck a deer while navigating a left-hand curve on Pine Tree Hill Road early Friday morning, according to police.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:18 a.m. on July 18 near the intersection of Winton Farm Road. Police said the vehicle, a 2022 Kia Sorento operated by Sherezada Inness of Newtown, was traveling northbound when a deer suddenly entered the roadway from the woods.

No injuries were reported, and the vehicle did not require towing. Officers determined no enforcement action was necessary.

Two Trucks Sustain Mirror Damage in South Main Street Sideswipe

Two commercial trucks sustained moderate damage to their side mirrors in a low-speed collision on South Main Street on the afternoon of July 9, according to the Newtown Police Department.

The incident occurred around 5:17 p.m. near 208 South Main St., when one truck traveling northbound and another heading southbound passed each other in proximity near the center line. As the vehicles passed, their left side mirrors collided.

The northbound vehicle, a 2025 Freightliner Cascadia owned by Penske Leasing and Rental Co. of East Windsor, and the southbound vehicle, a 2023 Mack owned by Trans Lease Inc. of Denver, both sustained mirror damage. Neither truck required towing from the scene.

Police identified the drivers as Donald Hill of Bridgeport and Theodore Stanislaw Jr. of Danbury. Both were properly restrained, and neither reported injuries.

Dashcam footage from both vehicles was reviewed as part of the investigation. Due to the circumstances and footage provided, police said fault could not be determined.

Drivers Cited in Newtown for Operating With Suspended Licenses and Other Violations

Two drivers were cited in separate incidents in Newtown between July 14 and July 21 for operating motor vehicles while their licenses were under suspension, according to police reports.

Marie C. Begin, 61, of Waterbury, was stopped around 6:52 a.m. on July 21 on Jeremiah Road in Sandy Hook. Police said Begin was cited for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license and for failure to obey a stop sign. She is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 5.

In another incident, Lata John Gutierrez, 23, of Danbury, was stopped near the intersection of Elm Drive and Brushy Hill Road at approximately 1:42 p.m. on July 19. Police said Gutierrez was also cited for driving with a suspended license. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 31.

Officers encountered Blerim Hodza, 60, of Parmalee Hill Road, around 2:50 a.m. on July 14. According to the Newtown Police Department, Hodza was found operating a motor vehicle while his license was under suspension and was also charged with disorderly conduct. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 29.