Following Too Close

Newtown police report Barbara Godejohn, 65, of Sandy Hook, was operating a 2006 Mazda Miata MX-5 northbound on Queen Street on August 28. Michelle Channing, 28, of Newtown, operating a 2011 Acura MDX, was stopped in the southbound travel lane of Queen Street for a red light at the intersection with Church Hill Road.

Godejohn stated she thought there was more space between the front of her vehicle and the rear of Lange’s vehicle, and that the front of her vehicle struck the rear of Lange’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported.

Godejohn was given a verbal warning for following too close.

Struck A Fence

Newtown police report Samuel Torres, 55, of Oxford, was operating a 2017 Frei M2 106 M portable toilet septic tank truck and was backing up to one of the portable toilets located near the baseball field at Newtown High School on September 2. The truck was on the grass off the parking lot when the rear bumper of the truck struck a chain link fence post next to the portable toilet. There was no visible damage to the truck, and the fence post was pushed over slightly. Torres stated he saw the fence in his mirrors, but that the fence appeared to be farther away than it was.

No injuries were reported.

Bee Caused Collision

Newtown police say John Benoit, 23, Southbury, was operating a 2014 Jeep Patriot Sport eastbound on Church Hill Road on September 2, traveling behind a 2015 Nissan Murano operated by Chun Wong, 51, of Ridgefield.

Benoit stated that a bee flew into his vehicle through the driver’s side window, causing him to be distracted. The front of Benoit’s vehicle struck the rear of Wong’s vehicle, causing minor cosmetic damage to both vehicles.

No injuries were reported.

The accident reports lists no charges being filed.

Three Vehicle Collision

Newtown police report Kevin Williams, 63, of Bethel, was operating a 1976 Chevrolet dump truck northbound on South Main Street on September 3, when he attempted to stop in the area of Greenbriar Lane; instead, the vehicle jackknifed into a skid and crossed the center yellow line. Christopher Taylor, 50, of New Milford, was operating a 2012 Toyota 4-Runner SR5 southbound on South Main Street, and Ashwin Patel, 57, of Brookfield, was operating a 2012 Mercedez-Benz CLS550 4matic, also southbound on South Main Street. Williams’s vehicle sideswiped Patel’s vehicle, causing minor damage, before hitting Taylor’s vehicle.

Williams and Taylor were examined by Newtown Ambulance on scene.

No enforcement has been issued at this time.

Failure To Maintain A Lane

Newtown police report Sylvia Larosa, 24, of Oakville, was operating a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu northbound on South Main Street on September 4. Brian Langford, 56, of Moosup, was operating a 2021 International LT625 Ryder Rental Truck southbound on South Main Street, negotiating a curve in the road. Larosa’s vehicle crossed the center line of the road and the front driver’s side of her vehicle struck the rear driver’s side of the rental truck trailer.

Larosa’s vehicle was towed from the scene due to disabling damage. The rental truck received some functional damage but was not towed.

Larosa stated she had minor arm pain but declined medical transport.

Larosa was issued an infraction for failure to maintain a lane.

Struck A Tree

According to local police, Franck Jean-Francois, 41, of Newtown, was operating a 2006 Honda Pilot EX southbound in the area of 58 Monitor Hill Road on September 5, when he made an improper left turn and crossed into the northbound travel lane. The front left corner of his vehicle struck a tree located off the left shoulder. His vehicle rolled on its side from the impact.

Jean-Francois was transported by ambulance for non-life-threatening injuries.

The accident is still under investigation.

Evading Responsibility

Newtown police reported Herminio Rodriguez, 30, of Newtown, was operating a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado on Elm Drive near Country Club Road on September 10. Joseph Cameros, 30, of Newtown, was operating a 2018 Ram 3500 in the opposite direction on Elm Drive. The driver’s side mirrors of both vehicles made contact, causing damage to both vehicles.

Rodriguez did not stop after known contact was made and left the area. Upon further investigation, he was issued a misdemeanor summons for evading responsibility while knowingly leaving the scene of an accident after causing property damage.

He was released on a promise to appear with a court date of September 16.

Driving Under The Influence

Newtown police report that on September 10 they were called to a one-car motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Obtuse Road and Newbury Road. The operator, Ryan Goodridge, 30, of Newtown, had driven his vehicle off of Newbury Road and over a stone wall. Goodridge was uninjured and the sole occupant of the vehicle.

Upon further investigation, police say Goodridge failed a standardized field sobriety test and was arrested for driving under the influence. He was also cited for making a restriction turn.

He was released on a promise to appear in Danbury Court on September 24.

Evading Responsibility And DUI

Newtown police report Richard Olson, 60, of Newtown, was operating a 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe northbound on Key Rock Road in the northbound lane approaching the intersection with Sugar Street on September 14, behind a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee operated by Elizabeth Neidig, 33, of Newtown. Neidig stopped for a stop sign at the intersection with Sugar Street. She proceeded straight ahead slightly, before stopping again for traffic on Sugar Street. Olson’s vehicle continued straight and the front end of his vehicle struck the rear end of Neidig’s vehicle.

Olson left the scene of the accident without providing identifying information to Neidig. He was subsequently pulled over on Hanover Road and police arrested him, charging him with failure to drive a reasonable distance apart resulting in a motor vehicle accident, driving too close with intent to intimidate or harass, and evading responsibility after a motor vehicle accident. After further investigation, he was also charged with illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He was released on a $500 bond with a court date of September 28.

No injuries were reported at the scene.