Newtown Police Log: Snow-Related Crashes, Parking Lot Collisions, And DUI Case Reported

NEWTOWN, CT — Newtown Police released a series of incident and criminal reports from Dec. 14 through Dec. 26 involving numerous motor vehicle crashes during snowy conditions, several parking lot collisions, and one case tied to impaired driving.

DUI Case Following Garage Strike on Ridge Road
On Dec. 23, officers responded to Ridge Road for a report of a vehicle that struck a residence and left the area. Police later located David A. Koehler, 55, of Newtown, after he returned to the residence. Investigators said Koehler had consumed alcohol prior to driving and failed to comply with police commands during the incident. He was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence, engaging police in a pursuit, and interfering with an officer. Koehler was held after being unable to post bond and was scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court.

Three-Vehicle Parking Lot Crash on Main Street
On Dec. 22, police responded to a parking lot collision at 45 Main St. involving three vehicles. Investigators said a Subaru Forester pulled forward from a parking space and collided with a Lexus GS 350 traveling through the lot, pushing the Subaru into a parked Chevrolet Suburban. No injuries were reported, and police said enforcement was not authorized because the incident occurred on private property.

Hit-And-Run at Berkshire Road and Jordan Hill Road
A crash was reported the evening of Dec. 14 at Berkshire Road and Jordan Hill Road after an unidentified vehicle entered the intersection from Jordan Hill Road and was struck by an eastbound Subaru. The striking vehicle continued west on Berkshire Road and later damaged a mailbox before leaving the area. No injuries were reported, and police said the investigation was closed after the vehicle could not be identified.

Snow-Related Crash on Bears Hill Road
Two vehicles collided Dec. 14 on Bears Hill Road near Pine Tree Hill Road as one driver exited a driveway and another traveled westbound during blowing snow. Both drivers told police visibility was limited by weather conditions. No injuries were reported, and officers determined the crash was unavoidable.

Vehicle Slides Off Toddy Hill Road
On Dec. 14, a pickup truck traveling north on Toddy Hill Road lost control due to weather conditions, left the roadway near Meadow Woods Lane, and struck a tree before becoming stuck in a ditch. The driver reported no injuries and received a verbal warning for traveling too fast for conditions.

Lane-Change Crash at Berkshire Road and Toddy Hill Road
Police responded Dec. 18 to a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Berkshire Road and Toddy Hill Road. Both vehicles were turning left onto Berkshire Road when one attempted to change lanes and struck the other. No injuries were reported, and a verbal warning was issued for failure to maintain the proper lane.

Parking Lot Collision at Caraluzzi’s Market
On Dec. 22, two vehicles made contact in the Caraluzzi’s Market parking lot on Queen Street when one vehicle backed from a marked space into another stopped in a travel lane. No injuries were reported, and no enforcement action was taken due to the incident occurring on private property.

Intersection Crash at Yogananda Street and Silo Road
A two-vehicle collision occurred the morning of Dec. 23 at Yogananda Street and Silo Road when one vehicle traveling north struck another that was approaching a stop sign. Both vehicles were towed, though no injuries were reported. The northbound driver received a verbal warning for traveling too fast for conditions.

Truck Strikes Stop Sign and Utility Pole on Hattertown Road
On Dec. 23, a commercial truck traveling south on Hattertown Road slid while turning onto Purdy Station Road and struck a stop sign and a small wooden utility pole not connected to live lines. No injuries were reported, and a verbal warning was issued for traveling too fast for conditions.

Mailbox and Stone Wall Damaged on Berkshire Road
Police said a westbound vehicle slid on snow-covered Berkshire Road on Dec. 26, crossed into the opposite lane, and struck a mailbox and stone wall at a Sandy Hook property. The vehicle was towed, no injuries were reported, and the driver received a written warning for traveling too fast for conditions.

Snow and Slush Send Vehicle into a Utility Pole near Johnnie Cake Lane
Police said a Jeep Wrangler traveling east on Mt. Pleasant Road lost traction just before the intersection with Johnnie Cake Lane, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle made minor contact with a utility pole, spun around, and came to rest off the roadway in the snow, facing westbound. The 28-year-old Bethel driver, reported no injuries. Police said the vehicle sustained minor front-bumper damage and that the utility pole was not damaged. The driver contacted his insurance company to arrange for a tow, and received a written warning for traveling too fast for conditions, according to the incident report.