Several Crashes Reported In Newtown Over Two Weeks, Police Say

NEWTOWN, CT — Police reported multiple crashes in Newtown over the past two weeks, including incidents involving trees, school buses, and parade traffic.

Driver Hospitalized After Vehicle Strikes Trees on Berkshire Road

A Danbury woman was hospitalized after her vehicle left the roadway and struck several trees along Berkshire Road in Newtown on Aug. 22, police said.

The crash occurred around 9:16 a.m. near 68 Berkshire Road. Police said a 2020 Acura TLX driven by Deborah Newsome, 65, was traveling west when she experienced a medical emergency, causing the vehicle to leave the road and hit multiple trees before coming to rest on the Interstate 84 Exit 11 ramp.

Newsome was transported by Newtown Ambulance to Danbury Hospital with injuries described as non-life threatening.

The vehicle sustained heavy damage and was towed from the scene.

Bicyclist Issued Warning After Collision With Vehicle in Newtown

A bicyclist received a warning after colliding with a vehicle on Church Hill Road in Newtown on Sept. 4, police said.

The crash happened around 5:10 p.m. as an Acura RDX driven by Carol Stenson of Sandy Hook was turning left into Ardi Court, according to police. A bicyclist, identified as Liam Wallenta, 14, was traveling eastbound on the westbound shoulder of Church Hill Road when he struck the vehicle.

Police said Wallenta continued eastbound after the collision. No injuries were reported.

The bicyclist was issued a verbal warning for improper operation on the roadway.

Danbury Man Issued Infraction After Rear-End Crash in Newtown

A Danbury man was cited after a rear-end collision on Church Hill Road in Newtown on Aug. 28, police said.

Officers responded around 5:55 p.m. near the intersection with Dayton Street, where a 2019 Ram 1500 driven by Alexandre Paulichi struck the back of a 2022 Hyundai Tucson operated by Timothy Haas of Middlebury, according to police. Haas had stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross in a crosswalk when his vehicle was hit.

Haas was evaluated for a possible injury but declined hospital transport. No other injuries were reported.

Police said Paulichi was issued an infraction for following too closely, resulting in the crash.

Vehicle Strikes Parked Car During Labor Day Parade in Newtown

A vehicle struck a parked car on Queen Street during Newtown’s Labor Day parade on Sept. 1, police said.

The crash happened around 12:33 p.m. when a 2019 Honda Pilot driven by Timothy Christensen of Sandy Hook moved to the right to avoid oncoming traffic and hit a parked 2020 Honda Pilot owned by Emily Slattery of Oxford, according to police.

Both vehicles sustained minor damage. No injuries were reported.

Police said Christensen was issued a verbal warning for unsafe passing.

Driver Cited After Vehicle Rolls Backward Into Bus in Newtown

A Sandy Hook man was cited after his vehicle rolled backward into a school bus while stopped in traffic on Mile Hill Road in Newtown on Aug. 26, police said.

The crash occurred around 9:11 a.m. near the intersection with South Main Street, where a 2010 Toyota RAV4 driven by Stephen Zvon rolled back on an incline and struck the front of a 2019 Blue Bird bus operated by Robert Saleski, according to police.

The bus’s in-vehicle camera confirmed the sequence of events, police said.

No injuries were reported, and both vehicles were driven from the scene.

Zvon was cited for unsafe backing.

Two Vehicles Damaged in Crash at Taunton Lane and Route 6

Two vehicles were damaged in a crash at the intersection of Taunton Lane and Route 6 in Newtown on Aug. 23, police said.

The collision occurred around 7:14 p.m. when a 2020 Subaru Legacy driven by Lucas Vivenzio was turning left from Route 6 onto Taunton Lane. Police said a 2013 Hyundai Accent operated by Luis Romero-Patino pulled from Taunton Lane and struck the Subaru’s rear driver’s side.

No injuries were reported, and all occupants were wearing seatbelts.

Police said Romero-Patino was cited for failure to obey a stop sign and for operating without a license.

Danbury Driver Cited After Three-Vehicle Crash in Newtown

A Danbury man was cited after a three-vehicle crash on Hawleyville Road in Newtown on Aug. 23, police said.

Officers responded around 12:09 p.m. near the intersection with Covered Bridge Road. Police said a 2022 International truck driven by Dennis Arias Nugra was headed south when it struck the back of a 2023 Ford F-150 operated by Thomas Raymond of Pine Bush, NY. That vehicle was pushed forward into a 2020 Subaru driven by Denice Morton of Gilbertsville, PA.

Raymond reported a possible injury but declined hospital transport, according to police. No other injuries were reported.

Nugra was issued a citation for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart.

Police Investigating Hit-and-Run in Newtown Shopping Plaza

Police are investigating a hit-and-run after a parked vehicle was struck outside businesses on Church Hill Road in Newtown on July 28.

The crash occurred around 12:57 p.m. in the front lot of the Starbucks Plaza at 75 Church Hill Road, police said. A 1998 Chevrolet K2500, driven by Victor Simoes of Waterbury, pulled into the lot and attempted to back into a parking space next to a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan owned by Jessica Sachs of Newtown.

Police said the Chevrolet’s rear quarter panel and bumper crossed into the occupied space and hit the passenger side of the Volkswagen, which was parked and unoccupied at the time. The Chevrolet then turned around and left the scene.

No injuries were reported. Officers documented dents, scrapes, and paint transfer on the Volkswagen. The case remains under investigation.

Branford Woman Cited After Vehicle Leaves Roadway in Newtown

A Branford woman was cited after her car went off the road while negotiating a curve on Swamp Road in Newtown on Sept. 7, police said.

Officers responded around 12:17 p.m. and found that a 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle driven by Rosa Araujo Alcivar had traveled off the eastbound shoulder and came to rest off the roadway, according to police.

No injuries were reported. Police said Alcivar received a verbal warning for making a restricted turn and was issued an infraction for operating without a license.

Drivers Involved in Crash at South Main Street and Elm Drive in Newtown

A two-vehicle crash at the intersection of South Main Street and Elm Drive left both vehicles heavily damaged on Sept. 3, police said.

The collision occurred around 5:10 p.m. when a Subaru Forester driven by Katherine Laffoon of Naugatuck attempted to turn left from Elm Drive onto South Main Street and was struck by a southbound Honda CR-V driven by Michael Giudice of Trumbull, according to police.

Police said both vehicles sustained disabling damage and were towed from the scene. Airbags deployed in both vehicles. Laffoon was not injured, while Giudice sustained a minor wrist laceration and declined medical transport.

Following an investigation, police determined Laffoon failed to yield at the stop sign. She was issued an infraction for failing to obey a stop sign.

Two Vehicles Damaged in Rear-End Crash on Mt. Pleasant Road

A two-vehicle crash caused damage but no injuries on Mt. Pleasant Road in Newtown on Aug. 21, police said.

The collision happened around 4:34 p.m. when a 2010 Toyota Prius driven by Claudine Collet of New Milford struck a wood chipper being towed by another vehicle that had stopped for a red light near Hawleyville Road, according to police.

Both the Prius and the wood chipper were damaged and towed from the scene. No injuries were reported.

Police said Collet was issued a verbal warning for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart.

Southbury Driver Issued Warning After Two-Vehicle Crash in Newtown

A Southbury driver was issued a warning after a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Toddy Hill Road and Sugarloaf Road on Aug. 23, police said.

The collision happened around 6:56 a.m. when a 2023 Mazda CX-5, operated by Christopher Capellini, was heading west on Sugarloaf Road and attempted to turn right onto Toddy Hill Road. Police said the Mazda struck a northbound 2021 Chevrolet Blazer driven by Alfonso Avila of New Rochelle, NY.

Both drivers were wearing seatbelts and were not injured. The Mazda sustained front-end damage, and the Chevrolet was damaged on its rear passenger side. Both vehicles were able to leave the scene without being towed.

Capellini was issued a verbal warning for failure to observe a stop sign.

Two Vehicles Towed After Collision Near I-84 Exit in Newtown

Two vehicles were towed following a crash near the Exit 9 off-ramp on I-84 eastbound in Newtown on Sept. 4, police said.

The collision occurred around 6:19 p.m. when a 2015 Jeep Wrangler driven by Eduardo Batista of Sandy Hook exited the off-ramp onto Hawleyville Road and attempted a U-turn, according to police. The Jeep was struck by a southbound 2024 Audi S3 operated by Sarah Lombino of Bethel.

No injuries were reported. Both vehicles sustained damage and were removed from the scene by tow truck.

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

Vehicles Collide in Parking Lot on Covered Bridge Road in Newtown

Two vehicles collided in a parking lot on Covered Bridge Road in Newtown on Aug. 18, police said.

The crash happened around 5:12 p.m. at 9 Covered Bridge Road, where a 2016 Buick Regal backed out of a parking space and struck the passenger side of a 2019 Ram 1500 traveling westbound through the lot, according to police.

No injuries were reported. The Buick was driven from the scene, while the Ram sustained disabling damage and was removed by a tow truck arranged by its operator.

Police classified the incident as a private property crash, with no enforcement action taken.

Two Evaluated After Crash at Main and West Streets

Two people were evaluated for injuries following a two-vehicle crash at Main Street and West Street in Newtown on Sept. 2, police said.

The collision occurred around 8:49 p.m. when a 2016 Subaru Outback, operated by Gary Lawlor of Sandy Hook, was turning north onto Main Street from West Street and struck a 2015 Volvo XC60 driven by Mark Skerik of Newtown, according to police.

Police said driver Margaret Skerik and passenger Estelle Skerik were evaluated by Newtown EMS but declined transport to the hospital. No other injuries were reported.

Lawlor was issued infractions for failure to obey a stop sign and for restrictions on passenger transportation.

Vehicles Collide on Berkshire Road in Newtown Parking Area

Two vehicles were involved in a minor crash in a parking area along Berkshire Road in Newtown on Sept. 2, police said.

The collision occurred around 5:28 p.m. when a 2011 Ford Fusion, operated by Kristen Keil of Newtown, pulled out from a line of parked vehicles and struck a passing 2021 Honda Pilot driven by Gabrielle O'Sullivan of Sandy Hook, according to police.

Police said Keil told officers she did not see the other vehicle before turning. O'Sullivan said she was driving straight ahead when the Ford turned into her vehicle.

No injuries were reported, and both vehicles were driven from the scene. Police classified the incident as a private property crash, with no enforcement action taken.

Two Vehicles Damaged in Crash at Queen Street and Glover Avenue

A two-vehicle crash caused damage but no injuries at the intersection of Queen Street and Glover Avenue in Newtown on Sept. 2, police said.

The collision happened around 2:24 p.m. when a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Jack Andrew Wellman of Newtown entered the intersection from Glover Avenue intending to turn north onto Queen Street, according to police. The Pontiac’s front passenger-side bumper struck the rear passenger side of a 2012 Subaru Forester operated by Taylor Elizabeth McPadden of Newark, DE.

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

Police said Wellman was issued an infraction for failure to grant the right of way at a stop sign.

Vehicles Backing Into Spaces Collide at Church Hill Road Lot

Two vehicles collided while backing into and out of parking spaces at a Church Hill Road business lot on Aug. 31, police said.

The crash happened around 7:40 p.m. at the Holy Cow Ice Cream Shop, when a 2022 Infiniti QX60 driven by Rachael Ruddy of Newtown was backing southbound out of a space as a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Brittany Conte of Beacon Falls was backing northbound into an adjacent spot, according to police.

The vehicles made contact, causing minor damage. No injuries were reported.

Police said the incident occurred on private property and no enforcement action was taken.

Two Vehicles Damaged in Crash at Hawleyville Road Intersection

A two-vehicle crash caused damage but no injuries at the intersection of Hawleyville Road and Old Hawleyville Road on Sept. 3, police said.

The collision occurred around 8:54 a.m. when a 1994 Mercedes-Benz driven by Thomas Condon of Brookfield entered the intersection from Old Hawleyville Road and struck a 2015 Honda Fit operated by Michelle Flores-Greene of Woodbury, according to police. The impact caused damage to both vehicles, and the Honda was towed from the scene.

No injuries were reported.

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

Vehicles Damaged in Parking Lot Collision on Queen Street

Two vehicles sustained minor damage in a parking lot crash on Queen Street in Newtown on Aug. 28, police said.

The collision occurred around 11:13 a.m. when a 2021 Hyundai Sonata driven by Kathleen Weller of Newtown was pulling into a parking space at 5 Queen Street and struck a 2016 Honda CR-V operated by Noel Santella of Newtown, according to police.

Both vehicles had minor damage, and no injuries were reported.

Police said no enforcement action was taken because the crash occurred on private property.

Stratford Driver Issued Warning After Rear-End Crash in Newtown

A Stratford woman was issued a warning after a two-vehicle crash on Swamp Road in Newtown on Aug. 26, police said.

The collision occurred around 8:12 p.m. near the intersection with Botsford Hill Road. Police said a 2021 Toyota Corolla driven by Natalie Accardi struck the rear of a 2018 Toyota Highlander operated by Shaun Wilson of Trumbull, who had stopped at a stop sign.

Both vehicles sustained minor damage and no injuries were reported.

Police said Accardi was issued a written warning for following too closely.

Two Vehicles Damaged in Crash at Hawleyville Road Intersection

Two vehicles were damaged in a crash at the intersection of Hawleyville Road and Old Hawleyville Road on Aug. 28, police said.

The collision occurred around 8:58 p.m. when a 2020 Ford Explorer driven by Kyla Stetson of Newtown was heading north on Hawleyville Road and turned left onto Old Hawleyville Road, striking a 2017 Volvo S60 operated by Aidan Moores of Brookfield that had stopped in the intersection, according to police.

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

Police said Stetson was issued a verbal warning for failure to drive right.

Three Vehicles Involved in Chain-Reaction Crash on Church Hill Road

A three-vehicle crash caused damage but no injuries at the intersection of Church Hill Road and Queen Street in Newtown on Aug. 28, police said.

The collision happened around 7:49 a.m. when a 2021 Honda CR-V driven by Violet Assante-LaBash of Newtown was traveling east on Church Hill Road and was unable to stop for traffic, according to police. The Honda struck the rear of a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek operated by Amanda Lee of Trumbull, which was pushed into the back of a 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Jessica Bydlak of Redding.

All three vehicles sustained damage. The Honda and Subaru were towed from the scene, while the Chevrolet was driven away.

Police said Assante-LaBash was issued an infraction for following too closely.

Two Vehicles Damaged in Crash at High Rock and Berkshire Roads

A two-vehicle crash at the intersection of High Rock Road and Berkshire Road in Newtown caused damage but no injuries on Aug. 28, police said.

The collision happened around 6:55 a.m. when a 2005 Pontiac Vibe driven by Adam Walker Uhde of Sandy Hook stopped at a stop sign and attempted to turn left onto Berkshire Road, according to police. The Pontiac collided with a 2023 Ford F-350 Super Duty operated by James Van Holt of Redding, which was traveling eastbound on Berkshire Road.

Both drivers were wearing seatbelts and were not injured. The Pontiac sustained heavy front-end damage and was towed from the scene. The Ford sustained two flat tires and minor damage to its front bumper but was not towed.

Police said Uhde was issued an infraction for failure to obey a stop sign.