Prius Overturned

Newtown Police report Sarah Stofko, 26, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2005 Toyota Prius, was traveling eastbound on Riverside Road at 1:15 am March 5, when she crossed the westbound lane and her vehicle struck a utility pole. Police say the utility pole broke and then the vehicle flipped over coming to rest on its roof, facing westbound.

Stofko’s vehicle was towed from the scene due to disabling damage.

Stofko was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.

Hit Deer

Newtown Police report Dorottya Marx, 43, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2010 Dodge Journey, was traveling east on Jeremiah Road at 10:01 am March 5. She told police a deer jumped from the right side of the roadway and landed on the passenger’s side front windshield and roof of Marx’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported.

No enforcement action was taken.

Bridgeport Man Arrested On Drug And Assault Charges

Newtown Police report Jose Cruz, 28, of Bridgeport, turned himself in on an outstanding arrest warrant at noon, March 7. The arrest stems from an incident that occurred in May 2021 where Cruz was suspected to have been involved in an assault. When stopped by Newtown Police, Cruz fled in his vehicle. The police found the vehicle later, where it had crashed into a home, and both occupants of the home needed to be transported to the hospital.

Cruz was charged with operation of a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, reckless driving, failure to keep right at a curve or intersection, operation of a motor vehicle without a license, use of drug paraphernalia, possession of less than a half ounce of cannabis, interfering with an officer/resisting arrest, second-degree breach of peace, third-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree reckless endangerment.

Cruz was released on a $15,000 non-surety bond, with a court date of March 22 in Danbury Superior Court.

Rear Ended

Newtown Police report Sarah Desouza, 16, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2014 Honda Pilot, was traveling northbound on Washington Avenue behind a 2021 Honda CR-V operated by Madison Kistner, 16, of Newtown, at 2:46 pm March 8. Kistner stopped behind a 2013 Ford Escape operated by Annie Phelps, 18, of Newtown, which was stopped in traffic. Desouza attempted to stop behind Kistner, however, her vehicle struck the rear bumper of Phelps’ vehicle.

No injuries were reported.

Desouza was issued an infraction for following too closely resulting in an accident.

Struck Vehicle

Newtown Police report Boden Anderson, 17, of Newtown, operating a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee, was exiting Signal Post Road onto Currituck Road at 1:51 pm March 9. Melinda Mackenzie, 63, of Newtown, was traveling northbound on Currituck Road.

The front of Anderson’s vehicle made contact with the passenger’s side of Mackenzie’s vehicle, causing damage to both.

Mackenzie was transported by Newtown EMS for a minor injury.

Anderson was issued an infraction for failure to grant the right-of-way at a private road.

Traveling Too Fast

Newtown Police report Michael Testa, 39, of New Fairfield, operating a 2012 Ford Econoline, was traveling northbound on slushy roads in heavy traffic when traffic slowed at 3:27 pm March 9. Testa was unable to stop in time to avoid contact with a vehicle, so he turned right to avoid a collision.

Police say Testa’s vehicle left the northbound travel lane and shoulder and traveled north on the snow covered grassy area off the road. The vehicle continued to travel until the front end struck a support wire for a Frontier utility pole. The vehicle continued northbound through bushes and came to rest in a ravine.

Testa was given a verbal warning for traveling too fast for conditions.

Hit Vehicle Pulling Into Parking Spot

Newtown Police report Hugh Carey, 80, of Newtown, operating a 2013 Toyota Sienna, was pulling into a parking space in a parking lot at 5 Queen Street at 2:40 pm March 10.

While pulling into the spot the right rear side of his vehicle made contact with the left rear side of a vehicle owned by Frank Mlynarczyk of Brooklyn, N.Y.

No enforcement action was taken since the incident occurred on private property.

Hit Cable Barrier Posts

Newtown Police report Joyce Jackson, 85, of Newtown, operating a 2009 Hyundai Accent, was traveling southbound on Hundred Acres Road at 3:34 pm March 11 when she traveled off the right-hand side of the roadway and struck three cable barrier posts with no cable attached to them.

No injuries were reported.

Jackson received a verbal warning for making a restricted turn and operating an unregistered motor vehicle.

Sun Glare Distraction

Newtown Police report Joseph Gagnon, 51, of Agawam, Mass, operating a 2019 Ford F150 Supercrew, was traveling east on Church Hill Road at 3:41 March 11, behind a 2021 Subaru Outback operated by Susan Musco of Sandy Hook. Musco stopped for traffic ahead, and the front of Gagnon’s vehicle struck the rear bumper of Musco’s vehicle.

Gagnon said he was dealing with sun glare and glanced at a GPS unit prior to contact.

No injuries were reported. Gagnon’s vehicle was towed from the scene.

Gagnon was issued a verbal warning for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart.

Hit And Run Driver

Newtown Police report Kathleen Deschenes, 18, of Newtown, operating a 2012 Toyota Camry, was proceeding slowly on Berkshire Road through the intersection of Wasserman Way due to heavy traffic at 5:25 pm March 11.

An unidentified vehicle turned left from the westbound travel lane of Berkshire Road onto Wasserman Way behind Deschenes’ vehicle, striking the left rear bumper of Deschenes’ vehicle with its left side. Police say the vehicle continued onto Wasserman Way without stopping.

No injuries were reported.

Parking Lot Collision

Newtown Police report Bernard Molloy, 62, of Newtown, operating a 2017 Toyota Corolla, was backing out of a parking space in a lot on Church Hill Road at 6:33 pm March 11. While pulling out of the spot, his vehicle struck a 2013 Audi A4 Quattro owned by Peter Aufdemorte of Newtown, rear to side. Molloy entered 105 Church Hill Road and informed an employee there that he hit a vehicle in the parking lot but there was no damage, and then left the scene.

Officers report that there had been some minor damage to the vehicle that was difficult to see due to lack of lighting in the area the vehicle was parked. Police located Molloy, who was cooperative with information and taking responsibility for the collision.

No injuries were reported.

No enforcement action was taken since the incident occurred on private property.

Land Rover Vs Outback

Newtown Police report Joseph Uriarte, 61, of Boca Raton, Fla., operating a 2021 Land Rover Range Rover, was stopped on Queen Street at the intersection of Mile Hill Road at 8:44 am March 14. Virginia Jess, 79, of Newtown, operating a 2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited, was traveling east on Mile High Road. Jess attempted to turn left onto Queen Street at the same time Uriarte attempted to turn left onto Mile Hill Road. The front of Uriarte’s vehicle struck the driver’s side rear of Jess’ vehicle.

Uriarte was issued a verbal warning for failure to grant right of way at an intersection.