Volvo Vs Deer

Police said that at about 7:30 pm October 4, motorist Stacey Keaney, 50, of New Milford, who was driving a 2004 Volvo station wagon southward on Hawleyville Road, near Old Hawleyville Road, encountered a deer. The Volvo and the deer collided. The deer left the area. Keaney was not injured. Police took no enforcement.

Bumper To Bumper

Two vehicles backing from opposite sides of Main Street collided resulting in minor damage and citations to both operators. According to police, on October 3 at approximately 7:11 pm, a 2005 Honda being operated by Michael Czaplicke, 57, of Horseshoe Ridge Road in Sandy Hook was backing from a parking area in front of the Inn at Newtown. At the same moment, James O. Gaston, 47, of 18 Main Street was backing a 2005 BMW sedan from his driveway at 18 Main Street. The two vehicles made contact in the center of the road. Neither the drivers nor any passengers in either vehicle reported injuries. Both drivers were cited for unsafe backing.

Minor Collision

On October 5 at 7:45 am, Katherine Slink, 55, of Stamford was operating a 2005 Subaru Legacy northward on South Main Street when police report she skidded into a 2002 Audi which had stopped for traffic. Since there appeared to be no visible damage and no reported injuries, Ms Slink was issued a verbal warning for following too close and released.

Shoplifting Charge

At approximately 12:23 pm on October 5, employees of the Stop and Shop supermarket at 228 South Main Street reported observing Anthony Jones, 48, of Waterman Street in Bridgeport shoplifting. After he was stopped exiting the store, Mr Jones was arrested on the charge of larceny in the 6th degree and processed at Police Headquarters before being released on a promise to appear in court on October 19.

Rear End Contact

According to police, Michelle V. Szot, 19, of Dittmar Road in Bethel was traveling westbound on Sugar Street near the intersection of Juniper Road, when she failed to stop behind a 1996 Jeep being operated by a Newtown resident of Aunt Park Lane. The Jeep was stopped behind another vehicle attempting to turn. Minor contact resulted in damage to the front end of the 2000 Toyota Ms Szot was operating, as well as the rear of the Jeep. No injuries resulted and Ms Szot was issued an infraction for traveling at an unsafe distance.

Operating Under

Suspension

At 5:40 pm on October 6, police said they observed Paul W. Lehning, 44, of Turkey Plain Road in Bethel drive through a stop sign at the intersection of Dodgingtown and Hattertown Roads. Police say, at the time, the driver was also operating a hand-held cell phone. After being pulled over, police discovered the driver was operating with a suspended license, so he was taken into custody, processed and released on a $100 cash bond pending a court appearance. Mr Lehning is scheduled to answer to charges of failure to obey a stop sign, operating with a hand-held cell phone, and operating under suspension.

Several Operator Charges

On October 6 at about 11 am, police report observing Victor Lopez, 35, of Merrimac Street in Danbury, driving through a stop sign on Hanover Road. After pulling the vehicle over, officers determined Mr Lopez was operating an unregistered vehicle without a license. The vehicle also was affixed with the incorrect plates, and the driver was operating with insufficient insurance. He was charged with the five offenses and released on a $100 cash bond and a misdemeanor summons to appear in court on October 19.

Restaurant Break-In Reported

Police say that between the hours of 8:30 pm on October 6 and 8:45 am on October 7, unknown persons entered the Swanky Franks restaurant at 314 South Main Street and allegedly took approximately $150 in rolled change. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Newtown Police. Officer Leonard Penna is investigating.

High School Vandals

Sometime between 5 pm on October 6 and 8:45 am on October 9, some person or persons vandalized an exterior wall at Newtown High School with white spray paint, police reported. During that time, several sets of bleachers at that location were removed from a playing field and rolled down an adjacent embankment. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Newtown Police. Officer Leonard Penna is investigating.

Injured In Collision

A driver who was later charged in a rear-end collision stated she was injured at approximately 11:46 on October 7 when the 2002 Nissan station wagon she was operating collided with a trailer being towed behind a 1994 Dodge Caravan by a Milford resident. Bridget N. Deriso, 31, of Highland Avenue, Darien, was transported to Danbury Hospital by Newtown Ambulance personnel after complaining of possible injuries. Ms Deriso was subsequently cited for ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­traveling too close. Police reported minor damage to the front of the Nissan and the rear bumper of the trailer involved.

Squirrel Apparently

Uninjured

Police say a Sandy Hook operator of a 1999 Toyota Sedan was traveling on Bennetts Bridge Road at about 4:54 pm on October 7, when she reportedly slowed and stopped to avoid hitting a squirrel in the road. The sudden stop caused a 2001 Hyundai being operated by Christine Springmeyer, 18, of Fleetwood Drive, Sandy Hook to hit the rear of the Toyota resulting in minor damage to both vehicles. No driver injuries were reported and Ms Springmeyer, who stated she attempted to swerve to avoid the collision, was cited for traveling at an unsafe distance. Investigating Officer Sean Buckley reported the squirrel was apparently not injured in the incident.

Driver Lost Load

State Police responded to westbound Interstate 84 at approximately 7:54 pm October 7 after a report of a 94 Saab being operated by Donald A. Mitchell, 62, lost several bicycles being carried on a rack on the rear of his vehicle. The bikes were struck by a 1997 Dodge Caravan being operated by a Bronx, New York driver, causing minor damage to the minivan’s front end and grill. No injuries were reported and Mr Mitchell was subsequently cited for failure to secure a load.

Semi Vs Honda

Police said no injuries resulted when a 2004 Honda CRV collided with a 2001 International semi, tractor-trailer at the intersection of South Main Street and Swamp Road at about 7:23 am, October 10. According to the report Michael Fischler, 56, of Washington Circle, Southbury was attempting to turn onto South Main Street in a 2004 Honda CRV when he struck the trailer of the rig attempting to turn onto Swamp Road from South Main. No injuries resulted, and Mr Fischler was subsequently cited for failure to grant the right of way at a stop sign.

Chain Reaction

An October 10 chain reaction collision on Sugar Street resulted in minor damage to four vehicles involved, and a citation for a New Fairfield driver for following too closely. According to reports, Thomas Gonsowski, 36, of East View Drive, New Fairfield was driving a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe eastbound on Sugar Street at about 5:31 pm when he failed to stop for a line of traffic. Mr Gonsowski’s rear impact caused a 1998 Dodge Neon to hit the rear of a 1996 Mazda Protégé, which then hit a 1999 Chevrolet Blazer. No injuries were reported.