Ford Key Found

On June 21, around 10:12 pm, a single Ford vehicle key was turned in to Newtown Police Department. The key was found at Treadwell Park, 49 Philo Curtis Road, according to police. Anyone wishing to claim the key can contact Sgt Douglas Wisentaner at 203-426-5841.

Failure To Drive Reasonable Distance

Newtown Police report a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Premium being operated by Paul W. Shelley, 52, of Sandy Hook, was in heavy traffic eastbound on Wasserman Way, in the right turn lane at the traffic signal of the Berkshire Road intersection around 3:58 pm, Saturday, June 12. Shelley pulled forward to check for traffic on Berkshire Road and then stopped.

A 2019 Volkswagen Passat Komfort being operated by Claudia M. Larsen, 23, of Bethel, was traveling behind the Subaru. The front passenger side of the Volkswagen struck the rear of the Subaru.

No injuries were reported and both vehicles were able to be driven from the scene. Larsen was given a verbal warning for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart resulting in a crash.

Following Too Closely

Newtown Police report Caroline N. Hancock, 17, of Newtown, was operating a 2014 Volvo S60 T5 sedan northbound on South Main Street near Park Lane around 5:05 pm, Tuesday, June 15. A 2008 Toyota Yaris being operated by Demetrius T. Barnes, 23, of Bridgeport, was in front of the Volvo.

The Toyota began slowing due to traffic, and the front end of the Volvo struck the rear bumper of the Toyota. No injuries were reported. Hancock was given a verbal warning for following too closely resulting in a motor vehicle accident.

Volkswagen vs Mercedes-Benz

Newtown Police report a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta being operated by Henry P. Kozuch, 40, of Trumbull, was traveling westbound on Wasserman Way around 8:18 am, Thursday, June 17. Meanwhile, a 2015 Mercedes-Benz E3504m AWD wagon being operated by Paula T. Minor, 67, of Woodbury, was making a left turn from the I-84 Exit 11 off-ramp to travel westbound on Wasserman Way.

Kozuch told police that while he was traveling behind another vehicle westbound on Wasserman Way, he observed what he believed was a fresh yellow light at the intersection of Wasserman Way and the I-84 Exit 11 off-ramp. Kozuch stated he traveled through the intersection behind the other vehicle, and that while in the intersection, the rear driver’s side of the Volkswagen was struck by the front passenger side of the Mercedes-Benz.

Minor stated she observed she had a green light at the intersection. Minor also stated that while making a left turn onto Wasserman Way, the front passenger side of the Mercedes-Benz was struck by the rear driver side of the Volkswagen.

There was minor damage to both vehicles. No injuries were reported. Kozuch was given a verbal warning for violation of right turn on red.

Motorcycle vs Compact SUV

Newtown Police report Erin K. Moran, 40, of Brewster, N.Y., was operating a 2015 Audi Q7 compact SUV northbound on Main Street around 12:41 pm, Saturday, June 19. At the same time, Jonathan L. Zamora was operating a 2011 Victory 999 motorcycle south on Main Street.

Southbound traffic stopped to allow the Audi to turn left into the driveway of Edmond Town Hall, at 45 Main Street. Zamora was traveling in the southbound shoulder portion of the roadway, also planning to turn into 45 Main Street. The motorcycle’s front fender struck the Audi’s right rear door in the process.

Zamora became wedged in between the Audi and his motorcycle upon impact. The motorcycle did not fall over at any point from the impact. Newtown Hook & Ladder, a Nuvance ambulance crew, and a paramedic also responded to the crash.

Zamora reported left shoulder and left knee pain and was subsequently transported to the hospital for treatment. He was issued a verbal warning for failure to drive in lane.

(Note: a photo of this crash appeared in the June 21, 2021 Police Reports.)

Acura vs Harley-Davidson

Newtown Police responded around 6:29 pm, Sunday, June 20, to a two-vehicle collision with injury that involved a motorcycle and a vehicle on Hawleyville Road. Following an investigation, police determined that 2014 Acura RLX four-door sedan driven by Szabolcs Nanassy, 78, of New Fairfield, made a left turn in front of a motorcycle that was traveling eastbound on Hawleyville Road near the I-84 ramps.

Paul Varga, 50, of Newtown was operating the motorcycle, a 1965 Harley-Davidson FLX. Varga was attempting to enter I-84 West at the time. Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps also responded to the crash.

Varga was transported to the hospital for a possible leg injury. His motorcycle was towed by Sugar Hill Towing.

Nanassy was not injured, and his vehicle was driven from the scene. He was issued an infraction for failing to yield the right of way.

Four Charges

A Newtown resident was issued four summonses after reportedly driving through a stop sign, colliding with two vehicles, and then leaving the scene last month.

Newtown police report a 2020 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck being operated by Alan J. Bertrand, 65, of Jensen Beach, Fla., was stopped and idling eastbound on Purdy Station Road, west of the intersection with Hattertown and Mt Nebo roads, around 9:19 pm, Sunday, June 20.

Meanwhile, a 2014 Subaru Impreza four-door compact sedan being operated by Hubert Miszczuk, 16, of Monroe, was traveling southbound on Hattertown Road, in the southbound lane. Additionally, a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan minivan being operated by Marcus W. Schulz was traveling westbound on Mt Nebo road approaching the intersection with Hattertown Road.

According to police, Schulz drove the minivan straight through the intersection of Mt Nebo and Hattertown Roads, failing to obey the posted stop sign, in an attempt to cross onto Purdy Station Road. As a result, the driver’s side front end of the minivan struck the driver’s side rear bumper of the Subaru.

The minivan then continued westbound onto Purdy Station Road, and its front end struck the front end of the Toyota pickup truck. Schulz continued driving, leaving the scene.

Bertrand sustained minor cuts, but refused medical attention. No other injuries were reported on scene. Schulz was issued a misdemeanor summons failure to obey a stop sign, failure to drive to the right, evading responsibility, and disobeying the signal of an officer.

Failure To Maintain Lane

Connecticut State Police report a 2011 Jeep Wrangler being operated by Jonathan M. Kushner, 22, of Cross River, N.Y., was traveling in the left of three lanes on I-84 westbound near Exit 11, around 2:43 am, Monday, June 28.

The Jeep drifted off the western shoulder, and its front end struck a DOT sign. It then traveled approximately 100 feet on the shoulder and struck a tree with its left front quarter panel, at which time it rolled over onto its passenger’s side.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps also responded to the crash. One passenger was transported to the hospital. The driver and a second passenger were checked for injuries but did not go to the hospital.

The Jeep was towed from the scene by Hilario’s, and Kushner was issued an infraction for failure to maintain lane.