Multiple Newtown Crashes Leave Drivers Injured, Result In Citations And Ongoing Police Investigations

NEWTOWN, CT — Motorists and mailboxes all took a beating in a series of collisions and roadway mishaps over the second week of August, as reported by the Newtown Police Department.

Two Drivers Injured In Hawleyville Road Crash; Staten Island Woman Cited

Two drivers were taken to the hospital Saturday morning following a collision at the intersection of Hawleyville Road and Currituck Road, according to police.

The crash occurred around 11:03 a.m. when a southbound 2019 Kia Sportage, driven by Christine Charitis, 81, of Staten Island, turned right from Obtuse Road onto Currituck Road, police said. Charitis then attempted to turn left onto Hawleyville Road and entered the northbound lane, where her vehicle’s rear left corner was struck by the front of a northbound 2017 Subaru Crosstrek driven by Martha Zhicay, 35, of Brookfield.

The impact spun the Kia around, causing it to come to rest facing east in the southbound lane and shoulder. The Subaru continued north before crossing into the southbound lane and hitting a cement post off the road.

Both Charitis and Zhicay were taken by Newtown Ambulance to Danbury Hospital with possible injuries.

Police said Charitis was issued an infraction for failing to obey a stop sign. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

Driver Injured After Striking Mailboxes, Utility Pole On Great Ring Road

A driver was injured Aug. 2 after a vehicle struck several mailboxes, a guardrail and a utility pole on Great Ring Road, according to police.

Officers responded around 11:09 p.m. after multiple reports of a loud noise in the area. Police determined a southbound 2023 Mazda CX-5 had gone onto the curb and shoulder near 54 Great Ring Road, hitting several mailboxes before mounting a guardrail and striking Frontier Utility Pole No. 4213. The pole snapped in half, and the vehicle spun around, coming to rest facing north in the southbound lane.

The driver, identified as Brian Engelke, 43, of Sandy Hook, was trapped inside the vehicle due to damage on both sides. He exited through the sunroof before emergency responders arrived. Police said Engelke was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

According to police, Engelke reported he was returning from an event at Cover Two Sports Bar and could not recall how the collision occurred. Officers noted he had difficulty maintaining balance, nearly fell while walking, and showed signs of having consumed alcohol.

Engelke sustained facial lacerations and a large swelling above his right eye. He was taken by Newtown Ambulance to Danbury Hospital for treatment.

The vehicle, registered to Toyota Lease Trust of Chandler, Ariz., was towed from the scene. Property owners of the damaged mailboxes were notified.

Police said the investigation remains active.

Driver Strikes Mailboxes In Berkshire Road Incident

A driver struck two large mailboxes on Berkshire Road early Tuesday, Aug. 5, after swerving to avoid a deer, according to police.

Police said a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox was traveling southbound near Bennetts Bridge Road shortly after midnight when it veered off the road and onto the right shoulder, hitting mailboxes marked 164 and 162.

The driver, identified as Donald A. Godbout, 57, of Sandy Hook, was not injured. The vehicle, owned by Connecticut Basement Systems Inc. of Seymour, was towed from the scene due to damage.

According to police, the driver told officers he swerved to avoid a deer that had entered the roadway. There was no contact with the animal.

Driver Leaves Scene After Minor Collision on South Main Street

Police are seeking information after a driver left the scene of a minor collision on South Main Street on Aug. 6.

According to police, a 2019 Nissan Rogue was stopped in the southbound lane at the exit of the Wheels Gas Station at 151 South Main St. when another southbound vehicle swerved onto the shoulder to avoid it. The left side of the unknown vehicle struck the Nissan’s left rear fender before continuing south without stopping.

A witness told officers the vehicle appeared to be an older silver dual pickup truck carrying ladders.

No injuries were reported, and both vehicles remained drivable. Police ask anyone with information to contact the department.

Driver Cited After Two-Vehicle Collision at Hawleyville and Barnabas Roads

A two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Hawleyville Road and Barnabas Road on Aug. 6 resulted in no injuries but led to a traffic citation, according to the Newtown Police Department.

Police said Gerald Fritch, of Bethel, was traveling west on Barnabas Road and attempted a left turn onto Hawleyville Road as Harry Bonziruk, of Oxford, was driving south on Hawleyville Road and attempting a left turn onto the same road.

Investigators determined that Fritch entered the northbound travel lane of Hawleyville Road when it was unsafe, causing the front left corner of his Chevrolet Trail Blazer to strike the left side of Bonziruk’s Chevrolet Express van.

Fritch was cited for failure to yield to a vehicle with the right of way. Neither driver reported injuries, and both vehicles were able to be driven from the scene.

Driver Charged After Leaving Scene Of Parking Lot Collision In Newtown

A Newtown man is facing a charge of evading responsibility after police said he left the scene of a two-vehicle collision in a Washington Avenue parking lot.

The incident occurred around 11:19 p.m. on Aug. 2 in the lot at 6 Washington Ave., according to police. Investigators said a 2015 Dodge Challenger was backing out of a parking space when its passenger-side rear bumper struck the trunk of a parked 2024 Lincoln Corsair. The Dodge then drove north on Washington Avenue without stopping.

Police said the owner of the Lincoln, who was seated outside at the time, witnessed the collision and recorded the Dodge’s license plate number as it left.

The driver of the Dodge, identified as Alexandro Enrique Moore, 20, of Newtown, was later located and charged with evading responsibility in a motor vehicle accident.

Both vehicles sustained minor rear damage. No injuries were reported.

Two Vehicles Collide In CVS Parking Lot On Queen Street

A two-vehicle collision in the CVS parking lot on Queen Street caused damage but no injuries Saturday afternoon, according to police.

The crash occurred around 5:04 p.m. when a 2005 Subaru Forester, driven by Joseph M. Deming, 45, of Sandy Hook, was pulling out of a parking space as a 2020 Lexus NX, driven by David Edward Gardner, 58, of Southbury, was traveling through the lot toward Dunkin’ Donuts.

Police said the vehicles collided in the lane, with the Lexus sustaining more significant damage. Neither vehicle required towing, and no one involved reported any injuries.

The incident occurred on private property, and police said no enforcement action was taken.

New Haven Man Faces Charge In Newtown For Failure To Appear In Court

A New Haven man surrendered to Newtown police on Aug. 6 in connection with an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court, according to the department.

Police said Jacob L. Hall, 45, turned himself in at the Newtown Police Department on South Main Street shortly before 2 p.m. The warrant stemmed from a second-degree failure to appear charge.

Hall was processed, posted a $5,000 bond and was released. He is scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on Aug. 19.

Seymour Woman Charged In December 2024 Larceny At Newtown Grocery Store

A Seymour woman is facing a larceny charge in connection with a December 2024 incident at the Big Y grocery store in Newtown, according to police.

Wendy Reed, 54, was taken into custody on Aug. 8 by Seymour police on an active warrant from the Newtown Police Department. Police said the charge stems from a reported theft at the Queen Street store.

Reed was processed in Newtown on a charge of sixth-degree larceny and released on a $1,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on Aug. 21.

Rear-End Collision On Sugar Street Results In Verbal Warning, No Injuries

A rear-end collision on Sugar Street during the evening commute Thursday caused minor damage but no injuries, according to police.

The crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. on Aug. 7 near the intersection with Elm Drive. Police said a 2014 Hino truck struck the back of a 2023 Nissan Rogue that was stopped in traffic.

The truck, owned by A.L.T.C. LLC of Danbury, was being driven by Y.D. Garciamasacela, 22, of the Bronx, N.Y. The Nissan, owned by Nissan Infiniti LT LLC of Irving, Texas, was driven by Brie Lauren Obryan, 45, of Bridgeport. A passenger in the truck was also uninjured.

Police issued the truck’s driver a verbal warning for following too closely.

Both vehicles were able to leave the scene under their own power.

Rear-End Collision On Botsford Hill Road Results In Verbal Warning

A rear-end collision on Botsford Hill Road on Saturday evening caused minor damage but no injuries, according to police.

The crash happened around 6:04 p.m. near Little Brook Lane when a southbound 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Brendan Robert Higgins, 23, of Easton, struck the back of a 2018 Toyota RAV4 driven by Connor F. Moloney, 27, of Mahopac, N.Y.

Police said the Toyota had slowed for other vehicles in the southbound lane when it was hit from behind. The RAV4 sustained visible damage to the rear trunk lid, but both vehicles were able to drive away from the scene.

Higgins was issued a verbal warning for failure to maintain a reasonable following distance.