Foot Slipped Off Brake

Newtown Police report Jonathan Wheeler, 59, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2005 Honda Accord, was stopped at the intersection of Wasserman Way and Route 35 at 11:46 am December 14. He was behind a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee operated by GF Sachez-Batista, 44, of the Bronx, N.Y. Wheeler said his foot slipped off the brake pedal, causing the vehicle to roll forward and strike the rear of Sanchez-Batista's vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Wheeler was issued a verbal warning for following too closely.

Collision Leads To Secondary Impacts

Newtown Police report Kevin Bellmay, 34, of New Milford, operating a 2017 Subaru Forester, was traveling southbound on Hawleyville Road at 1:17 pm December 15. Kevin Lawrence, 29, of Wappinger Falls, N.Y., operating a 2008 Chevrolet Colorado, was traveling northbound on Hawleyville Road. Bellmay was in the process of making a left turn onto Interstate 84 exit 9 eastbound on-ramp when the left front section of his vehicle made contact with the left front section of Lawrence's vehicle. Police say then Lawrence's vehicle went onto the northbound shoulder, up an embankment and hit a tree, and then rolled back down the embankment onto the roadway. Bellmay's vehicle then hit a reflective pole off the northbound shoulder and came to a rest there.

Lawrence complained of back pain. Newtown EMS was dispatched to the scene and treated Lawrence, who then declined transport.

Bellmay was issued an infraction for operating an unregistered motor vehicle and a verbal warning for making a restricted turn.

Bumper Ripped Off

Newtown Police report Diane Crisanti, 64, of Beacon Falls, operating a 2013 Nissan Rogue, was attempting to make a left turn into the parking lot of 6 Queen Street at 3:26 pm December 23. She was attempting to pass a 2015 Acura RDX operated by Philip Kirkham, 69, of Monroe, that had been parked to the right of the traffic way and was attempting to re-enter traffic. Police say the entire passenger’s side of Crisanti's vehicle collided with the driver’s side bumper of Kirkham’s vehicle, ripping it off.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Crisanti was issued a written warning for unsafe passing.

Exit Ramp Motorcycle Crash

CT State Police report William R. Connolly, 62, of Newtown, was operating a 2021 Harley-Davidson FLTRXS on the I-84 West Exit 11 off-ramp around 6:08 pm Saturday, December 24, when he lost control of the motorcycle. The motorcycle crashed into the concrete barrier, and Connolly received suspected minor injuries. He was transported to a hospital by Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue also responded to the scene.

No enforcement action was taken.

Failed To Stay Right

Newtown Police report Jeffrey Blaiotta, 44, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2019 Subaru Ascent, was traveling southbound on Cherry Street at the intersection of Riverside Road at 10:49 am December 26. Gustavo Castillo, 40, of Newtown, operating a 2004 Chrysler Town & Country, was traveling eastbound on Riverside Road in the area of Cherry Street. Police say Blaiotta failed to stay right while making a right turn onto Riverside Road, and the front left corner of his vehicle made contact with the left side of Castillo's vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Blaiotta was issued an infraction for failure to drive right.

Driving Under Suspension

Newtown Police report Krista Peters, 47, of New Fairfield, was arrested at 6:31 am December 30 on the charge of illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under suspension. She was released on a promise to appear with a court date of January 12.

Both Claim Green Light

Newtown Police report Todd Stampp, 46, of Woodbury, operating a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, was traveling eastbound on Wasserman Way at 12:23 pm December 30. Suzanne Deramo, 59, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, was traveling northbound on Trades Lane. Police say Deramo proceeded through the intersection attempting to turn left onto Wasserman Way, and Stampp's vehicle struck Deramo's vehicle. Both drivers claimed to have the green light, but an uninvolved witness traveling behind Deramo said that Deramo had the green light.

No injuries were reported. Both vehicles were towed due to disabling damage.

Stampp was issued an infraction for failure to obey a traffic control signal.

Evading Driver Sought

Newtown Police report a two car accident occurred on South Main Street just south of Sugar Street at 5:09 pm December 30, with one driver evading responsibility. Both vehicles were traveling northbound when a vehicle described as a Chevrolet of unknown model rear-ended a 2010 Ford F150 operated by Brian Cody, 32, of Glastonbury, before fleeing the scene.

No injuries were reported. No vehicles were towed.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Officer John Facto at the Newtown Police Department at 203-426-5851.

Collision At On-Ramp

Newtown Police report Nicholas O'Keefe, 18, of Blythewood, S.C., operating a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze, was attempting to make a left turn onto the Exit 11 on-ramp from Wasserman Way at 8:45 pm December 30. Brian Engelke, 41, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2011 Nissan Altima, was traveling on Wasserman Way. Police say O'Keefe's vehicle struck Engelke's vehicle, causing damage to both.

No injuries were reported. Both vehicles were towed.

O'Keefe was given a written warning for failure to obey a traffic control signal.

Cash Found

Newtown Police report on December 29, an undisclosed amount of cash was located in the parking lot of Wells Fargo Bank at 26 Church Hill Road. Any persons who may have lost money while on that property may contact the Newtown Police Department and reference case number 22-00017283 and provide specific details regarding the denomination(s), amount and location.

Unlicensed, Unregistered, Uninsured

Newtown Police report Jacob Hall, 42, of West Haven, was arrested at 1:39 am December 31 on the charges of operation of an unregistered motor vehicle, improper use of marker plates, illegal operation of a motor vehicle without insurance, and operation of a motor vehicle while under suspension. No further details were released. He was released on a promise to appear with a court date of January 12 in Danbury Superior Court.

Driving Under Suspension

Newtown Police report Aidan O’Connor, 20, of Norwalk, was arrested at 9:58 pm January 1 on the charges of illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under suspension and making an improper turn. No further details were available. He was released on a promise to appear with a court date of January 17.

Crossed Center Line

Newtown Police report Candace Rispoli, 36, of East Haven, operating a 2019 Jeep Compass, was traveling southbound on South Main Street at 5:57 pm January 2. Alexis Mason, 22, of Newtown, operating a 2013 Mini Cooper, was traveling northbound on South Main Street. Police say Rispoli crossed the center line and struck Mason's vehicle.

Mason was taken to Danbury Hospital for evaluation. Both vehicles were towed.

Rispoli was issued an infraction for failure to drive in the proper lane.