Hit Hydrant, Tree

Newtown Police report Joseph Riccio, 80, of Brookfield, operating a 2019 Chevrolet Trax, was traveling northbound on South Main Street at 3:55 pm March 31. Riccio’s vehicle left the northbound lane, crossed the double yellow centerline and exited the road to the left, striking a curb. Police say the vehicle continued traveling on the property of 22 South Main Street and the front left of the vehicle struck a fire hydrant and then struck a tree, rotating the vehicle before it came to a stop.

Riccio had no apparent injuries. He was transported to Danbury Hospital for evaluation. A passenger was also transported to Danbury Hospital for possible injuries.

Riccio’s vehicle was towed due to disabling damage, and he was issued a verbal warning for failure to drive in the proper lane.

(A photo of this crash appeared in last week’s print edition and online.)

Struck Vehicle During Turn

Newtown Police report Evelyn Okane, 16, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2015 Nissan Frontier, was traveling northbound on Washington Avenue at 2:44 pm April 5. Thomas Pendergast, 54, of Newtown, operating a 2012 Ford F55, was stopped for the stop sign at the intersection of Pearl Street and Washington Avenue. Okane attempted to turn right onto Pearl Street, but swung wide and the front left of her vehicle collided with the back left of Pendergast’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported at the scene.

Okane was issued a verbal warning for making an improper turn.

Pulled Out In Front

Newtown Police report Abigail Portelance, 19, of New Milford, operating a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta SE, was stopped at a stop sign at Hanover Road and Main Street at 8:21 am April 6. John Mitchell, 72, of New Milford, operating a 2003 Ford F350, was traveling north on Main Street.

Portelance pulled out in front of Mitchell’s vehicle, causing Mitchell’s vehicle to hit the driver’s side of her vehicle.

She was transported to Danbury Hospital for evaluation. Both vehicles were towed.

Portelance was given a verbal warning for failure to grant right of way at an intersection.

Hit Vehicle Into Wall

Newtown Police report Craig Stoeppel, 56, of Brookfield, operating a 2012 Nissan Altima, was traveling southbound on a curve on Obtuse Road at 2:22 pm April 6. Russell Sweeting, 44, of Brookfield, operating a 2016 Honda Accord, was traveling northbound on Obtuse Road.

Stoeppel traveled into the northbound lane and the front left corner of his vehicle struck the left side of Sweeting’s vehicle.

Police say Sweeting attempted to avoid contact with Stoeppel’s vehicle by turning to the right. The collision caused Sweeting’s vehicle to turn in a southerly direction and the rear of his vehicle struck a stone wall off the side of the road.

Stoeppel was issued an infraction for failure to drive right on a curve.

Ran Off Road

Newtown Police report Roxanne Gaudiel, 38, of Shelton, operating a 2018 Honda Clarity, was traveling eastbound on Toddy Hill Road at 7:25 am April 9. Gaudiel attempted to make a left turn onto Berkshire Road and in the process ran off the roadway to the right and struck a utility pole.

No injuries were reported at the scene. Guadiel was issued a verbal warning for failure to drive in the proper lane.

Following Too Closely

Newtown Police report Aylward German, 34, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2018 Acura RDX, was traveling southbound on Berkshire Road at 5:43 pm April 12. Kristine Crook, 25, of Seymour, operating a 2009 Nissan Altima, was stopped in traffic on Berkshire Road ahead of German when police say the front bumper of German’s vehicle struck the rear bumper of Crook’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported at the scene.

German was given a verbal warning for following too closely resulting in an accident.