Crash Within Intersection

A 2012 Nissan Murano operated by Giovanna M. Loizzo, 16, was traveling southbound on Hattertown Road, approaching the four-way intersection with Hattertown, Key Rock Road, and Poverty Hollow roads, around 7:45 am, Monday, April 5.

A 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SE traveling west on Key Rock Road, being operated by Joshua R. Bryant, 29, of Norwalk, stopped for the stop sign at the intersection. The Jetta then proceeded into the intersection, toward Poverty Hollow Road.

The Nissan did not stop for its sign, however. The front end of that car struck the passenger front side of the Volkswagen.

Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps also responded to the scene. Bryant and a passenger in the Volkswagen were checked for injuries; the passenger was transported to the hospital for further attention. Loizzo did not report any injuries. All three were wearing seat belts.

Both vehicles were towed due to damage.

Loizzo was issued an infraction for failure to obey a stop sign.

Verbal Warning

A 2019 Ford F550 Super Duty truck registered to Leahy’s Fuels, Inc, operated by Kyle Roman, 27, of New Milford, was traveling eastbound on Sugar Street in routine traffic, approaching the intersection with Elm Drive around 3:46 pm, Thursday, April 8.

A 2009 Volvo V50 2.41 operated by James Widmann, 24, was also traveling eastbound on Sugar Street, in front of the Ford. The Ford struck the rear bumper of the Volvo.

Roman was issued a verbal warning for following too closely.

Flagpole Intersection Collision

Gloria H. Garvin, 82, of Newtown, operating a 2008 Volkswagen EOS, was attempting to cross Main Street at the flagpole to travel westbound on West Street around 2:57 pm, Saturday, April 10.

At the same time, a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Sport being operated by Steven J. Berard, 17, of Newtown, was completing a left turn from West Street to travel northbound on Main Street.

Garvin told police she pulled forward from Church Hill Road, into the northbound travel lane of Main Street, to continue to travel across to West Street.

Berard stated the Volkswagen pulled in front of him, and the passenger side of the Volkswagen struck the front of the Wrangler. Berard stated he completed his left turn from West Street when the Volkswagen pulled in front of him.

No injuries were reported. Both drivers were wearing seat belts.

Garvin was given a verbal warning for failure to obey a stop sign.

Second Arrest In A Month

On Tuesday, April 13, Newtown police arrested Zachery Krajewski, 27, of Monroe, for the second time in a month. Last week’s arrest was on an outstanding warrant for an incident that occurred in March.

Krajewski was charged with numerous motor vehicle violations, including interfering with an officer, engaging police in pursuit, reckless operation, suspended license, and no insurance.

The April arrest stemmed from an incident that occurred in March, when a Newtown officer was on patrol and observed Krajewski parked at a Queen Street business. The officer recognized Krajewski and was aware that Newtown Police had an outstanding warrant for him from an incident in January, when Krajewski engaged police in a pursuit and had multiple other motor vehicle-related charges.

As the officer attempted to serve the arrest warrant on Krajewski from the January incident, Krajewski fled again and engaged police in pursuit.

Both pursuits were called off almost immediately, as Krajewski fled from police in a reckless manner, passing cars and driving in the opposite lane at a high rate of speed.

Krajewski was held on a $75,000 court set bond and transported to Danbury Court on April 13 for arraignment. He was given a May 4 pre-trial date for the January and March incidents and resulting charges.

Two Arrested On Multiple Charges

Two men were arrested on Wednesday, April 14, after Newtown police made a traffic stop for a marker plate that did not match the vehicle it was attached to.

Police stopped a vehicle on Mile Hill Road. The driver of the vehicle initially provided officers with a fake name in an attempt to prevent police from learning his identity. After further investigation police determined the operator of the vehicle was Richard Lee, 48, of Danbury.

Lee had an active warrant for his arrest out of New Haven stemming from a motor vehicle incident in that city.

The investigation also revealed narcotics inside the vehicle.

Lee was subsequently arrested and charged with interfering with an officer, misuse of plates, operating without a license, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to appear-second degree.

After posting an $1,150 bond, Lee was given a court date of April 28 in Danbury Superior Court.

Another passenger in the vehicle was identified as Shawn McLaughlin, 50, who also had an active warrant, out of Branford, for forgery-related charges.

McLaughlin was charged with possession of narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia. After being processed by Newtown Police Department, he was transported to Branford Police Department on the active warrant for his arrest.

Failure To Drive In Proper Lane

Newtown police report a one-vehicle accident that damaged a vehicle but did not injure the driver or a passenger.

Timothy R. White, 37, of Sandy Hook, was operating a 2003 Lexus IS 300 around 10:55 am, Thursday, April 15. White was traveling west on Berkshire Road.

While negotiating a curve in the roadway near the intersection with Old Mill Road, White applied the brakes and skidded off of the roadway to the right. The Lexus sustained undetermined damage to the undercarriage, and was towed from the scene.

White and a minor traveling with him were both wearing seat belts. No injuries were reported.

White was given a verbal warning for failure to drive in proper lane.

Unsafe Passing

A 1993 vehicle registered to USPS (no make or model available) was traveling west on Berkshire Road around 11:38 am, Sunday, April 18, being operated by Plinio M. Garcia, 36, of Manchester.

At the same time, a 2020 Chevrolet C45 full-size pickup truck being operated by Kevin J. Fritschler, 62, of Oxford, N.Y., was following the postal vehicle.

As the USPS vehicle was engaged in making a left turn into a driveway near Lone Oak Meadow, Fritschler attempted to pass the USPS vehicle on the left, causing an accident.

No injuries were reported.

Fritschler was given a verbal warning for unsafe passing.

Two Charges

On April 18 at approximately 5:56 pm, Newtown police received a report of the erratic operation of a motor vehicle traveling northbound on South Main Street near Swamp Road.

Police located the vehicle in the area of 201 South Main Street and observed its operation before performing a motor vehicle stop near Citgo at 151 South Main Street.

The investigation led to the arrest of Manuel Rivera, 36, of Bridgeport. Rivera was charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol/drugs and failure to maintain a proper lane.

Rivera was transported to Newtown Police Department for processing.

He was released on $100 cash appearance bond and given a May 4 court date to appear in Danbury Superior Court.

Jaguar vs Jeep

Newtown police report a 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited S being operated by Daniel N. Eshoo, 40, of Hebron, was traveling eastbound on Mt Pleasant Road near Reservoir Road around 7:50 pm, Sunday, April 18, when it stopped for traffic.

A 2021 Jaguar F-type R being operated by Sarah M. Shagloof, 39, of Naugatuck, was traveling eastbound on Mt Pleasant Road, behind the Jeep.

The Jaguar did not stop, and collided with the Jeep.

There were no injuries to either driver. Each vehicle was carrying one passenger; none were injured. All were wearing seat belts.

Shagloof was given a written warning for traveling an unreasonable distance apart.