Police Report Disputes, DUI Charges, And Multiple Crashes In Newtown

NEWTOWN, CT — Police in Newtown responded to a series of incidents this month, ranging from disputes and DUI charges to crashes that left vehicles damaged across town.

Newtown Woman Charged After Dispute on Main Street

A Newtown woman is facing charges after police responded to a reported dispute on Main Street near Currituck Road on Sept. 16.

The incident occurred around 10:20 a.m. when officers were dispatched for a disturbance in progress, according to police.

Following an investigation, Mariah Lynn Joy, 30, was charged with breach of peace and interfering with an officer after police said she resisted while being taken into custody.

Joy was released on a written promise to appear and is scheduled to be in Danbury Superior Court on Sept. 30.

Police Investigating Hit-and-Run in Reed Intermediate School Lot

Police are investigating a hit-and-run crash that damaged a parked vehicle in the Reed Intermediate School parking lot on Aug. 29.

The incident occurred around 3:47 p.m. when a Volkswagen Tiguan backed out of a parking space and struck a 2019 Kia Forte owned by Ricardo Martins of Sandy Hook, according to police. The Kia was unoccupied at the time.

A witness told officers the driver of the Volkswagen, described as a woman, got out, looked at the damage, and then left the lot without reporting the crash.

No injuries were reported.

The case remains under investigation.

Driver Taken to Hospital After Utility Pole Crash in Newtown

A Bethel woman was taken to the hospital after her vehicle struck a utility pole on Great Ring Road in Newtown on Sept. 16, police said.

The crash occurred around 5:27 p.m. just north of Erin Lane when a 2009 Honda Pilot driven by Jovanna Marie Lasita left the northbound lane and hit Frontier Communications utility pole #2452, according to police.

The vehicle sustained heavy front-end damage, with airbags deploying and fluids leaking onto the roadway. The Sandy Hook Fire Department responded to contain the spill, and the vehicle was towed from the scene.

Lasita told officers she did not recall the events leading up to the crash and only remembered the sound of impact and airbags deploying. She was transported by Newtown EMS to Danbury Hospital for evaluation.

Police said the utility pole sustained severe cracks at its base and further up the structure, and utility crews determined it would need replacement.

Lasita was issued an infraction for failure to maintain the proper lane of travel.

Southbury Man Charged With DUI After Crash on Orchard Hill Road

A Southbury man is facing charges after police said his pickup truck struck a tree on Orchard Hill Road in Newtown on Sept. 17.

The crash happened around 9:54 p.m. near Monitor Hill Road when a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado driven by John Patrick Grisko left the roadway and hit a tree, according to police. The vehicle sustained disabling damage and was towed from the scene.

Police said Grisko showed signs of intoxication and admitted to drinking several beers earlier in the day. He was given field sobriety tests and charged with DUI and other motor vehicle offenses. In Connecticut, the legal blood alcohol content limit for driving is 0.08 percent for those 21 and older.

No injuries were reported.

Grisko, 44, was released on a $1,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear Oct. 6 in Danbury Superior Court.

Vehicle Overturns After Striking Guardrail on Berkshire Road

A vehicle overturned after striking a guardrail along Berkshire Road in Newtown on Sept. 16, police said.

The crash occurred around 3:27 p.m. near Tanglewood Lane when a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt driven by Roland Hanzli of Sandy Hook went off the right side of the road, hitting the end of a guardrail before continuing onto an embankment and flipping, according to police.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle sustained significant damage and was towed from the scene. Minor damage to the guardrail was also noted.

Police said Hanzli was issued an infraction for making a restricted turn.

Vehicles Make Contact in Heavy Traffic on Mile Hill Road

Two vehicles made minor contact while traveling in heavy traffic on Mile Hill Road in Newtown on Sept. 16, police said.

The collision occurred around 8:56 a.m. near Trades Lane when a 2018 Hyundai Tucson driven by Kelly Santos of Marion attempted to overtake a 2020 Peterbilt truck operated by James Schoenfeld of Brookfield as both lanes merged, according to police.

The right front corner of the Hyundai and the left front tire of the truck made contact. Police said the Hyundai sustained minor damage, while the truck was not damaged.

No injuries were reported, and no enforcement action was taken.

New Haven Man Charged With DUI After Vehicle Found Disabled in Newtown

A New Haven man is facing a DUI charge after police found his vehicle disabled and blocking a travel lane on South Main Street in Newtown on Sept. 21.

The incident occurred around 9:45 p.m. near Country Club Road, where officers discovered a vehicle with heavy front-end damage in the southbound lane, according to police.

The driver, identified as Skotti A. Huckaby, 34, was taken into custody following an on-scene investigation. He was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Huckaby was released after posting $35 on a $500 bond. He is scheduled to appear Sept. 30 in Danbury Superior Court.

Two Vehicles Damaged in Rear-End Crash on Boggs Hill Road

A rear-end crash on Boggs Hill Road in Newtown left two vehicles damaged on Sept. 9, police said.

The collision occurred around 8:45 a.m. near the intersection with Sugar Street when a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Emily Perry of Sandy Hook struck the back of a 2023 Ford Transit operated by Christian Rivera of Waterbury, according to police.

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

Police said Perry was issued a verbal warning for following too closely.

Two Vehicles Damaged in Crash Near Newtown Deli

A two-vehicle crash occurred near the Newtown Deli on Main Street on Sept. 18, police said.

The collision happened around 9:41 a.m. when a 2018 Ford F-350 driven by Charles Luf of Newtown backed out of a parking space and struck a 2000 Ford Ranger operated by Nathan Maldonado of Bridgeport, according to police.

The Ranger had been heading south on Main Street after exiting Edmond Town Hall and was in its proper lane with the right of way at the time, police said.

No injuries were reported. Both vehicles sustained damage but were driven from the scene.

Police said Luf was issued a written warning for unsafe backing.

Driver Charged After Two-Vehicle Crash on Church Hill Road

A driver is facing charges after a two-vehicle crash on Church Hill Road near the Interstate 84 west ramp in Newtown on Sept. 19, police said.

The collision occurred around 10:17 p.m. when a 2013 Toyota RAV4 driven by Linda Sok Khim of Danbury was turning left to enter the I-84 west ramp, according to police. At the same time, a 2020 GMC Sierra driven by William Adam Kase of Newtown was exiting the ramp to turn right onto Church Hill Road. Police said the GMC crossed into the westbound lane and struck the rear driver’s side of the Toyota.

Both vehicles sustained minor damage, and no injuries were reported. The Toyota did not require a tow, while the GMC was driven from the scene.

Police said Kase left the scene and was later charged with evading responsibility and making an improper turn. He is scheduled to appear Oct. 7 in Danbury Superior Court.

Two Vehicles Collide at Newtown Flagpole Intersection

A two-vehicle crash at the flagpole intersection in Newtown left both vehicles damaged on Sept. 19, police said.

The collision happened around 10:27 a.m. at Main Street and West Street when a 2016 Kia Soul driven by Diana Ciskowski of Sandy Hook was crossing from Church Hill Road to West Street, according to police. Another driver, Frederick Gill of Danbury, was heading south on Main Street in a 2024 Honda CR-V and attempted to pass several stopped vehicles on the right using the shoulder.

Police said the Kia had the right of way and struck the Honda on its driver’s side. Side airbags deployed in the Honda, which was towed from the scene due to disabling damage.

No injuries were reported, and both drivers declined medical attention.

Police said Gill was issued a written warning for passing on the right.

Two Vehicles Damaged in Crash at Main Street and Church Hill Road

A two-vehicle crash was reported at the intersection of Main Street and Church Hill Road in Newtown on Sept. 15, police said.

The collision happened around 12:21 p.m. when a 2015 Mercedes-Benz G550 driven by Floresha Dauti of New Fairfield pulled into the intersection from Church Hill Road and struck a 2014 Toyota Tacoma operated by Jack Moreno of Newtown, according to police.

Both vehicles sustained damage but were driven from the scene. No injuries were reported.

Police said Dauti was issued a written warning for failing to grant the right of way at a stop sign.

Driver Charged After Striking Tree Stump on Turkey Hill Road

A Newtown man is facing charges after his vehicle struck a tree stump on Turkey Hill Road and he fled the scene on foot Sept. 20, police said.

The crash happened around 6:42 p.m. near Mile Hill Road South when a 2018 Subaru Forester driven by Shawn Cerreta crossed the center line, left the roadway, and hit a large tree stump, according to police.

The vehicle sustained heavy front-end damage, and airbags deployed on impact. Fire crews responded to contain leaking fluids, and the car was towed from the scene.

Cerreta was located shortly after leaving the area. Police said he admitted to being distracted by a handheld electronic device at the time of the crash. He sustained a minor elbow injury but declined hospital transport.

Cerreta was charged with evading responsibility, use of a cellphone while driving, and failure to maintain lane. He is scheduled to appear Sept. 30 in Danbury Superior Court.

Vehicles Make Contact in Parking Lot on Church Hill Road

Two vehicles sustained minor damage after a collision in a parking lot on Church Hill Road in Newtown on Sept. 15, police said.

The crash occurred around 2:24 p.m. at 28 Church Hill Road when a 2018 Hino truck driven by Cong Nep Thoong of Brooklyn, NY, backed up from an exit driveway and struck a 2021 Honda Pilot operated by Madeline Attilah Wright of Sandy Hook, which was stopped behind it, according to police.

Police said the Honda sustained minor front-end damage. No injuries were reported.

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

Two Vehicles Towed After Crash on Main Street in Newtown

Two vehicles were towed after a crash on Main Street near Church Hill Road in Newtown on Sept. 15, police said.

The collision happened around 6:22 a.m. when a 2007 Acura TL driven by Edwin Cruz of Stratford veered off the northbound lane and struck a parked 2014 Mercedes-Benz C300 owned by John Quinn of Newtown, according to police.

Police said both vehicles sustained heavy damage and were removed from the scene by tow truck.

Cruz, who was wearing a seatbelt, was not injured. No other injuries were reported.

Police said Cruz was issued an infraction for making a restricted turn.

Three Vehicles Involved in Crash on Toddy Hill Road in Newtown

A three-vehicle crash on Toddy Hill Road left one driver with a minor injury and caused heavy damage to another vehicle on Sept. 16, police said.

The collision happened around 4:30 p.m. just south of Surrey Trail. Police said a 2008 Buick Lacrosse driven by Giovani Carmine Vazquez of Sandy Hook struck the rear of a 2024 Toyota RAV4 operated by Emily Anieca Trejo of Pawling, NY, which had slowed for traffic waiting to turn left.

The impact pushed the Toyota forward while Vazquez’s vehicle swerved into the southbound lane, colliding with a 2024 Jeep Compass owned by SFS Leasing Ltd. and operated by Lori Ann Clure of Newtown, according to police.

The Buick sustained disabling front-end damage and was towed from the scene, while the Toyota and Jeep were able to be driven away. Botsford firefighters responded to handle leaking fluids.

Police said Trejo reported pain to her right leg and was evaluated at the scene by EMS but declined hospital transport. Clure’s passenger was also evaluated and released. No other injuries were reported.

Vazquez was issued an infraction for following too closely.