Hit And Run

Newtown Police report Brian Rahuba, 55, of Waterbury, operating a 2000 Peterbilt 357, was traveling westbound on Wasserman Way in the area of Nunnawauk Road at 12:52 pm May 16. An unidentified vehicle was traveling eastbound in the same area and crossed the yellow centerline, striking the rear wheel well area of Rahuba’s vehicle. Police believe the mirror of the vehicle broke off. The vehicle continued eastbound and got on Interstate 84.

No injuries were reported. Rahuba’s vehicle was not towed.

Struck School Bus

Newtown Police report Robert Underhill, 59, of Danbury, operating a 2017 Ford F150, was traveling westbound in the right turn lane on Mile Hill Road at the intersection of South Main Street at 9:29 am May 23. Christine Cook, 66, of Newtown, operating a 2018 Blue Bird School Bus, was traveling westbound on Mile Hill Road in the left turn lane. Police say as Cook started to turn left, Underhill changed direction and attempted to turn left in front of Cook. The front safety arm of Cook’s vehicle hit the rear driver’s side of the truck bed of Underhill’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Underhill was issued a written warning for failure to yield right of way while making a left turn.

Both Drivers Given Infractions

Newtown Police report Lauro Cabrera, 48, of Danbury, operating a 2005 Ford F550, was traveling northbound on Mount Pleasant Road near Suzie Lane at 7:07 am May 25. Eric Salvesen, 55, of Newtown, operating a 2020 Ford F250, was traveling directly behind Cabrera. Police say Salvesen attempted to pass Cabrera on the left in a no passing zone. The front left bumper of Cabrera’s vehicle collided with the back passenger’s side and tire of Salvesen’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Cabrera was issued an infraction for failure to maintain lane and operating an unregistered motor vehicle. Salvesen was issued an infraction for improper passing.

Motorcycle Hit

Newtown Police report Jonathan Lerow, 49, of Norwalk, operating a 2018 Harley-Davidson FLHXS Street Glide, was traveling eastbound on Church Hill Road west of the Queen Street intersection at 11:53 am May 26. Richard Schatz, 45, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2020 Ram 1500 Rebel, was traveling westbound on Church Hill Road west of the intersection with Queen Street. Police say Schatz entered the eastbound travel lane in an attempt to turn left into the parking lot of 14 Queen Street, and Lerow passed four uninvolved vehicles on the right in the shoulder and a partial right turn only lane, before making contact with the right side of Schatz’s vehicle. Lerow and a passenger were ejected from the motorcycle on impact.

The motorcycle passenger was transported to Danbury Hospital with possible injuries. Neither vehicle was towed.

Lerow was issued an infraction for passing on the right.

A photo of this incident appeared in the June 2 issue of The Newtown Bee.

Rear-Ended On Main

Newtown Police report Samuel Omalyev, 25, of Newtown, operating a 2005 Honda Element, was traveling northbound on Main Street at 4:33 pm May 27. He was traveling behind a 2016 Toyota Highlander operated by Jessica Pires, 43, of Brookfield. Police say Pires stopped for traffic and Omalyev could not stop in time, rear ending Pires’ vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Omalyev was issued a verbal warning for following too close.

Following Too Close

Newtown Police report George Ferris, 27, of Newtown, operating a 2005 Toyota Prius, was traveling northbound on Dodgingtown Road at 8:24 am May 30. Alexis Gonzalez, 21, of Bridgeport, operating a 2013 Acura RDX, was slowing for traffic ahead of Ferris. Police say the front of Ferris’ vehicle collided with the rear of Gonzalez’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Ferris was issued a written warning for following too close.

Distracted By Ants

Newtown Police report Melissa Crownshaw, 23, of Naugatuck, operating a 2000 Dodge Neon, was traveling eastbound on Wasserman Way at 4:21 pm May 30. She was behind a 2018 Buick Encore operated by Evana Juhasz, 50, of Naugatuck, who was slowing for normal congestion. Police say Crownshaw rear-ended Juhasz’s vehicle, after she said she noticed several ants on her and was attempting to wipe them off.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Crownshaw was issued a written warning for failure to keep a safe distance resulting in an accident.

Collision In Intersection

Newtown Police report James Shapiro, 31, of Ansonia, operating a 2018 Nissan Altima, was traveling northbound on the Interstate 84 West off-ramp, preparing to turn left at 8:15 am May 31. Debora Carvalho-Dasilva, 37, of Newtown, operating a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse, was traveling eastbound on Hawleyville Road. Police say Shapiro began to turn left onto Hawleyville Road and the front left bumper of his vehicle struck the front right bumper of Carvalho-Dasilva’s vehicle.

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

Shapiro was issued an infraction for failure to grant right of way at an intersection.

Dump Truck Sought

Newtown Police report Antonio Conte, 45, of Bethel, operating a 2011 Honda Odyssey, was traveling eastbound on Sugar Street at 12:13 pm May 31. An unknown older model style, red or maroon dump truck, was traveling westbound in the same area. Police say the two vehicles may have made contact prior to Conte’s vehicle leaving the travel lane and ending up in the bushes and wooded area off the westbound shoulder.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident and can provide information is asked to contact the Newtown Police Department at 203-426-5841 and ask for Officer McCarty, referencing case 2300007307.

Arrested On DUI Charges

Newtown Police arrested Kevin McCarthy, 31, of Sandy Hook, at 8:03 am June 1 on the charges of four counts of illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under suspension, and four counts of illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He was held on $400 in bonds with a court date of June 2 in Danbury Superior Court.

Too Fast For Conditions

Newtown Police report Castillo Pani, 20, of Danbury, operating a 1997 Honda Civic, was traveling southbound on Toddy Hill Road at 7:43 pm June 2. Pani’s vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway, striking a guard rail.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed.

Pani received a verbal warning for traveling too fast for conditions.

Police Suspected Impairment

Newtown Police report Steven Thorington, 37, of Shelton, operating a 2018 Nissan Sentra, was traveling on Berkshire Road at 5:50 pm June 3. He was traveling behind Katherine Milkovic, 43, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2017 Honda Pilot.

Thorington told police that he was struck by Milkovic’s vehicle as it came towards him in the oncoming traffic lane. Milkovic told police she noticed Thorington’s vehicle swerving as it approached from the rear and it appeared Thorington was going to cross over the center line to pass her on the left. When she signaled to turn left onto Great Ring Road, Thorington struck the driver’s side rear quarter panel of her vehicle.

Police say Thorington denied consuming alcohol prior to operation of the vehicle, but the investigating officer noticed a “slight odor” on his breath, and said Thorington’s eyes were “glassy” at the time of an alcohol test. Thorington could not perform a walk and turn test due to a hip surgery. He was not allowed to drive away from the scene and was picked up by a friend.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Thorington was issued an infraction for failure to drive in the proper lane and passing in a no passing zone.

DUI And Possession Charges

Newtown Police report Justin Collins, 42, of Danbury, was arrested at 2:19 pm June 4 for illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and possession of a controlled substance — first offense. He was released on a $500 bond with a court date of June 15 in Danbury Superior Court.

Animal Cruelty Charge

Newtown Police report that at 7:22 pm June 6, Susan Marucci, 57, of Newtown, surrendered herself to the Newtown Police Department on an active warrant. She was arrested and charged with cruelty to animals. She was released on a $5,000 bond with a court date of June 20 in Danbury Superior Court.