Full Text:

Accident Sends Motorist Into His Own Front Yard

(with photos)

A 1997 Saab 900-S driven by Terry A. Tabler, 40, of 9 Mountain Manor Road,

Sandy Hook, was traveling eastbound on Church Hill Road, following an

eastbound 1994 Mercury Tracer driven by Jeffrey A. Olson, 40, of 84 Church

Hill Road about 3:20 pm December 6, police said.

Tabler was unaware that Olson was signalling to make a right turn into the

driveway of Olson's Church Hill Road home, police said.

The Saab hit the Mercury in the rear end, sending it flipping into the front

yard, police said.

Olson, and his passenger, Jordin Olson, 11, of the same address, were

transported to Danbury Hospital for treatment of head and neck pain, police

said. A passenger in the Saab, Ellen Tabler, 6, of 9 Mountain Manor Road, was

transported to the hospital for observation, police said.

Police issued Terry Tabler an infractions ticket on a charge of following too

closely.

Marie Rotella, a motorist who was driving eastbound, witnessed the accident

from behind.

"I could have been in the accident, but I was following at a pretty safe

distance," she said.

The Saab struck the Mercury from behind causing it to both roll over and pivot

simultaneously, she said. After the collision, the Mercury hit a curb and then

rolled down the front lawn of the property, she said.

Ms Rotella, a nurse, went to the accident scene to assist and comfort the

victims.