Accident Closes Route 34 For Six Hours

By Andrew Gorosko

A serious two-vehicle accident that occurred just before 4 pm, on Saturday, December 4, caused the extended closure of a section Route 34 (Berkshire Road) as police investigated the crash.

Motorist Barbara Lindquist, 52, of 30 Great Quarter Road was driving a 1992 Pontiac Bonneville eastward on Route 34, near its upper intersection with Chestnut Hill Road, as motorist Jennifer Weissman, 29, of Bethel was driving a 2003 Kia Sedona minivan westward there, police said.

The Pontiac rounded a curve and entered the westbound lane, after which the two vehicles collided, resulting in heavy damage, police said. Both vehicles came to rest off the westbound road shoulder.

The accident occurred on Route 34 about 75 yards east of its western intersection with Chestnut Hill Road, police said.

Ambulance staffers transported Ms Lindquist to Danbury Hospital for treatment of serious injuries where she was admitted. Ms Lindquist was listed in serious condition on the afternoon of December 8, a hospital spokeswoman said. 

Ambulance personnel treated Jennifer Weissman at the scene, as well her two passengers, husband Peter R. Weissman, 31, and, son Peter I. Weissman, 17 months old, police said. The elder Peter Weissman was a front-seat passenger and the infant Peter Weissman was positioned in the center of the rear seat in a child safety seat, police said.

The police department’s accident reconstruction team went to the scene to investigate the crash, said Police Chief Michael Kehoe. Sandy Hook firefighters went to the incident.

During that investigation, traffic that would normally travel on Route 34 was detoured onto the parallel Chestnut Hill Road until 10:30 pm. Those roads intersect in two places.

Patrol Officer William Hull who is investigating the accident said it is unclear whether any charges would be filed, noting that the investigation is in its early stages.

Police were inspecting the wrecked vehicles on December 8.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company Chief Bill Halstead said that on the advice of emergency medical personnel at the scene, firefighters worked quickly to remove Ms Lindquist from the wrecked Pontiac due to her serious injuries. About 18 Sandy Hook firefighters responded to the accident call.