Unknown Evading Reported

Newtown Police report that an unidentified vehicle struck a 2020 Nissan Sentra owned by Brian Lugo of Sandy Hook, where it was parked facing northbound on Winter Ridge Road at 11:33 pm May 28. The unidentified vehicle was traveling southbound on Winter Ridge Road and the driver’s side front bumper of the vehicle struck the driver’s side front of Lugo’s vehicle. Police say the unidentified vehicle then continued straight on to the property of 7 Winter Ridge Road and traveled roughly 40 feet. The vehicle then reversed and continued onto Winter Ridge Road without stopping to report the incident.

Sebring Strikes Tahoe

Newtown Police report Arlene Hammer, 81, of Newtown, operating a 2008 Chrysler Sebring, was traveling southbound in the parking lot of 228 South Main Street at 12:48 pm May 31. While traveling, Hammer’s vehicle struck a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe owned by Diane Morales of Monroe, which was parked, unoccupied, in a parking space.

Police say Hammer did not realize she hit Morales’ vehicle until she got home and saw the damage to her vehicle. A witness reported the license plate of Morales’ vehicle to a TJ Maxx employee, allowing the police to contact Morales.

No injuries were reported. No enforcement action was taken because the incident occurred on private property.

Reported Injuries

Newtown Police report Joseph McCray Barnes, 17, of Sandy Hook, was operating a 2013 Hyundai Sonata northbound on Toddy Hill Road. Kastriot Kutrolli, 51, of Oakville, operating a 2006 Ford F350, was traveling northbound on Toddy Hill Road ahead of Barnes, and was coming to a stop after an uninvolved vehicle made a sudden left turn onto Turkey Roost Road. The front bumper of Barnes’ vehicle struck the rear bumper of Kutrolli’s vehicle.

Kutrolli complained of neck and shoulder pain at the scene and was transported by Newtown EMS to Griffin Hospital.

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

ABS Caused Rear-Ender

Newtown Police report Luke Loudon, 21, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado, was traveling westbound on Wasserman Way at 6:15 am June 9. He was traveling behind a 2019 Nissan Sentra operated by John Rodriguez, 41, of Sandy Hook. Police say Rodriguez stopped due to traffic and Loudon was unable to stop his vehicle in time, striking Rodriguez’s vehicle from behind. Loudon told police that his anti-lock brake light came on, which caused an issue as he was expecting the ABS to activate and instead had normal, non-ABS brakes instead.

No injuries were reported.

Loudon was given a verbal warning for following too closely.

Tree Falls On Hyundai

Newtown Police responded to High Rock Road for a report of a tree falling onto a car at 12 pm June 9. Upon arrival, a Newtown officer met with the Francely Chevalier, 21, of the Bronx, N.Y., who stated she was driving eastbound on High Rock Road when a tree suddenly fell onto her car, a 2018 Hyundai Elantra.

The vehicle had heavy windshield and front hood damage, and a freshly fallen tree was across party of the roadway.

Chevalier suffered minor injuries from broken glass, and her mother said she would bring her to the hospital.

The vehicle was towed from the scene.

Head-On Collision

Newtown Police report Mariluz Achury, 53, of Newtown, operating a 2009 Subaru Outback, was traveling eastbound on Riverside Road at 2:48 pm June 9. Hector Sanchez, 49, of Hartford, was traveling westbound on Riverside Road in a commercial box truck. Police say that Achury’s vehicle crossed the center line, striking Sanchez’ vehicle.

All occupants were transported to the hospital for evaluation and treatment.

The investigation is still underway.

Hit Van Turning Into Driveway

Newtown Police report Jose Rivera, 35, of Bridgeport, operating a 2020 Ford F59 commercial van, was traveling south on South Main Street at 3:25 pm June 9. Michael Frumkin, 73, of Jackson, Wyoming, operating a 2021 Nissan Altima, was traveling south on South Main Street ahead of Rivera and stopped to turn left into a driveway. Rivera failed to stop and his vehicle made contact with the rear of Frumkin’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported.

Rivera was given a verbal warning for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart.

Camry Hits Signs

Newtown Police report Mohammad El-Awa, 18, of Wilmington, Delaware, operating a 2004 Toyota Camry, was traveling southbound on High Rock Road at 5:40 pm June 9. El-Awa abruptly turned right on New Lebbon Road, leaving the right turning lane and continued straight until the front of his vehicle struck the stop sign and street sign at the intersection of High Rock Road and New Lebbon Road.

No injuries were reported.

El-Awa was issued an infraction for failure to drive in the proper lane.

Unoccupied Vehicle Hit

Newtown Police report Sean Groves, 43, of Newtown, operating a 2018 Buick Enclave, was backing out of a parking space in the upper lot of Treadwell Memorial Park on Philo Curtis Road at 7:35 pm June 9. A 2016 Audi Q5 owned by Jamie Caruso of Sandy Hook was parked in a spot next to Groves’ vehicle. The rear driver’s side bumper of Groves’ vehicle made contact with the rear bumper of Caruso’s vehicle. Caruso’s vehicle was unoccupied at the time of the incident.

No injuries were reported.

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

Theft Leads To Arrest

Newtown Police report that officers were dispatched at 10:11 am June 10 to a reported larceny at Big Y, 6 Queen Street. A suspect had stolen Red Bull from the store. Subsequent investigation led police to Victor Lehtinen, 42, of Newtown. Lehtinen was located a few hours later and found to have two active warrants for his arrest stemming from missed court dates. Lehtinen was charged with sixth-degree larceny and two counts of second-degree failure to appear.

He was held on a $3,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on June 13.

Bucket Truck Damaged

Newtown Police report Sergio Gonzalez, (no date of birth or address given), operating a 2015 Freightliner 999 owned by Lewis Tree Service, was traveling southbound on Currituck Road near Signal Post Road at 4:46 pm June 10. Gonzalez failed to see the posted clearance of 10 feet, six inches for the overhead railroad bridge in the area. The utility bucket of the vehicle struck the underneath of the bridge, resulting in minor damage to the utility bucket.

No injuries were reported.

Gonzalez was issued an infraction for failure to obey signals and markings.

Info On Prius Sought

Newtown Police report Spencer Suttile, 20, of Oxford, operating a 2008 Honda CR-V, was traveling northbound on Hawleyville Road passing Currituck Road at 8:41 pm June 10. An unidentified vehicle, described as a red Toyota Prius, was stopped on Currituck Road at the intersection of Hawleyville Road. Police say the Prius entered the intersection as Suttile was passing through. The front driver’s side of the unidentified vehicle made contact with the rear driver’s side of Suttile’s vehicle, causing damage. The Prius then continued southbound on Hawleyville Road.

No injuries were reported.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Newtown Police at 203-426-5841.

DUI Arrest

Newtown Police report that Randy Khen, 28, of Danbury, was arrested by warrant at 3:22 pm on June 11 in connection with a motor vehicle accident that occurred on March 2 on Berkshire Road. Khen was charged with illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, following too close, resulting in an accident, and operation of a motor vehicle without a license.

Khen was released on a written promise to appear in Danbury Superior Court on June 28.

Fight Prompts Charges

Newtown Police officers were dispatched to the area of 18 Riverside Road for the report of male parties fighting. Upon arrival, officers observed a male subject, later identified as Nicholas Haggerty, 19, of New Milford, was involved in a secondary incident. Haggerty was arrested at 9:33 pm June 11 on the charges of interfering with an officer/resisting arrest, assaulting safety personnel, and second-degree breach of peace. He was released on a $2,500 bond with a court date of June 13.