Bumper To Bumper

At 11:37 am on November 11, Newtown Police were called to the parking lot near Stop & Shop on South Main Street to investigate a reported minor collision on private property. Upon arrival, officers determined that Suzanne Fabrizio, 51, of Monroe, was backing a 2010 BMW 528xi from a parking spot, when the vehicle made contact with a 2014 Lexus Gx460 that was being backed from an adjacent spot by Lisa Anne Hodska, also of Monroe. No injuries were reported and no action was taken.

Drug Arrest

On November 12, at about 9:46 am, Newtown Police reported pulling over a vehicle on Berkshire Road near the intersection of Lone Oak Meadows after observing an equipment violation. Upon investigation, officers discovered the operator, Peter James Kopchik, 36, of Ansonia, was operating with a suspended license. Police also located crack cocaine, along with other paraphernalia, in the vehicle and arrested Kopchik on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia,, and operation with a suspended license. He was released on a $500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Danbury Court to answer the charges on November 27.

Signs Down

After a reported traffic incident on November 12 at about 8:31 pm, police responded to the intersection of Sugar Street and Sugar Hill Road. Upon arrival, officers determined that Evaristo Justo, 26, of Allentown, Penn., was operating an unidentified commercial vehicle owned by R&J Logistics of Easton, Penn. eastward on Sugar Street and turning into Sugar Hill Road, when the vehicle reportedly struck down two traffic signs owned by the municipality of Newtown. A local towing company responded to unlock the vehicle’s brakes, which were damaged when the signs were hit. Once the commercial vehicle was moved to the side of the road, the operator contacted his own towing company to handle removal. Justo was issued a verbal warning for failure to drive in the proper lane.

South Main Crash

On November 14, at about 8:38 pm, police were called to the area of the Walgreens pharmacy on South Main Street after a reported collision. Upon arrival, the investigating officer reported that Karen L Burnaska, 73, of Bagburn Road, Monroe, was exiting the store parking lot and turning into the northbound lane of South Main Street in a 2015 BMW 640xi. That vehicle struck a 2003 Honda CR-V LX being operated by Brennan William Mayer, 18, of Newtown, which police say was turning into the pharmacy parking lot from the northbound lane. No injuries were reported, but the BMW was damaged to the extent it had to be towed from the scene. Burnaska was issued a verbal warning for failure to grant the right of way.

Rear Damage

At about 4:18 pm on November 15, Newtown Police responded to Wasserman Way near Nunnawauk Road after a reported minor one-vehicle collision. Upon investigation, the local officer determined that Timothy Landgrebe, 51, of Southbury, was traveling westbound in a 2005 Toyota Tacoma when it slid off the road damaging the rear bumper and tire. No injuries were reported, and the operator was issued a verbal warning for failure to maintain lane.

Traveling Too Fast

Local police were called to the area of South Main Street near Button Shop Road at about 5:22 pm on November 15 after a reported one-vehicle crash. The investigating officer reported that Nancy Sousa, 35, of Danbury, was operating a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo northbound during heavy snow when the Jeep failed to negotiate a slight curve approaching Button Shop Road. The vehicle slid, struck a curb along the northbound shoulder, and continued off the road, striking a traffic sign. No injuries were reported, and the operator was issued a verbal warning for traveling too fast for conditions.

Escape Into Pole

At approximately 5:37 pm on November 15, local Police responded to Mile Hill Road South, just South of Nunnawauk Road. Upon arrival, officers report a 2012 Ford Escape LX operated by Victoria Lynn Maceira, 22, of Bethel, was traveling southbound when it slid on the snow-covered road and struck a utility pole. No injuries were reported, but the Ford had to be towed because of damage. The operator was issued a verbal warning for failure to drive right on a curve.

Kia Collision

During heavy snow with low visibility at about 6:17 pm on November 15, local officers were called to two separate collisions on Berkshire Road. The first, just west of the Great Ring Road intersection, involved a 2012 Kia Optima Lx being operated eastbound by Ryan Robert Maziuk, 25, of Seymour and a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado being operated by Edward Killian (no DOB provided) of Monroe. The report states that Maziuk told officers he was attempting to free the vehicle from the snow when it fishtailed and was struck by the passing Chevrolet, causing damage to the right quarter panel of the Kia. No injuries were reported, and no enforcement action was taken.

Clipped Trailer

Moments after the first reported collision, at 6:18 pm, local police were notified of a second crash on Berkshire Road, near the intersection of Bradley Lane. Upon investigation, police report that a 2010 Honda CR-V LX was being operated eastbound by Eunice Alberts, 68, of Derby, when she began to negotiate a turn into Bradley Lane. At that time, a 2001 Ford F250 Super Duty pulling a trailer and being operated by Gary Stein, 40, of New Milford, was traveling westbound. As the vehicles passed one another, Alberts reportedly told police the trailer clipped the front of the Honda. Stein reportedly told the investigating officer the Honda slid into the trailer. Both operators were issued verbal warnings for traveling too fast for conditions.

Nissan Vs Chevrolet

A short time later, at about 6:41 pm on November 15, police responded again to the area of Berkshire Road and Bradley Lane to investigate a third reported collision. Upon arrival, the investigating officer reported that a 2004 Chevrolet Express G3500 being operated by Jeronimo Molina, 38, of Danbury was traveling westbound just past Bradley Lane when it became stuck in snow. At that time, a 2002 Nissan Sentra being operated eastbound by Joseph Peter Gargano, 26, of Trumbull lost control, crossed the center line, and struck the Chevrolet, causing minor front end damage to both vehicles. The Nissan operator was issued a verbal warning for traveling too fast for conditions.

Hydrant Snapped

Police report that at about 9:01 am on November 16, a fire hydrant in front of 12 Schoolhouse Hill Road was snapped off after being struck by a 2011 Honda Fit being operated by Michael Chavez, 28, of Newtown. According to the report, the operator was traveling downhill approaching Wendover Road when he lost control and went off the roadway, hitting the Aquarion hydrant. The operator was issued an infraction for operating an unregistered motor vehicle and a verbal warning for traveling too fast for conditions and failure to maintain a lane. A minor injury was noted on the report, and the vehicle had to be towed due to the extent of damage.

Dodgingtown Sideswipe

Newtown Police responded to a reported two-vehicle collision at about 7:59 am on November 16 on Dodgingtown Road near the intersection of Shelly Road. Upon investigation, it was reported that Najim Wisaa, 24, with a PO Box in Brookfield, was operating a 2003 Honda Pilot EXL westbound on Dodgingtown Road when the operator lost control, went off the right side of the roadway, struck a dirt embankment, then continued across Dodgingtown Road, sideswiping an eastbound 2003 Acura Mdx Tech being operated in the proper lane by Charles Merrifield, 67, of Newtown. The Honda then came to rest after striking a wire guard rail. There was a reported minor injury to the Honda operator, and that vehicle was towed from the scene.

Honda Off Road

During snowfall at about 7:20 am on November 16, police responded to a reported single vehicle crash on Dinglebrook Lane near the intersection of Hanover Road. Upon investigation, it was reported that Jontoya Searight, 30, of Waterbury, was traveling eastbound operating a 2010 Honda Insight EX when she lost control on a hill, went off the shoulder, and struck a utility pole. No injuries were reported to the operator or a passenger, but the Honda was damaged to the extent it had to be towed.

Following Too Close

On November 16, at about 1:41 pm, local officers responded to a rear-end collision on Main Street at the intersection of Church Hill Road. Upon investigation, police report that a 1998 Honda Civic LX was being operated northbound on Main Street by Daniel B Satter, 22, of Trumbull when he struck the rear of a 2016 Toyota Highlander being operated by Nancy Gee Kuhn, 63, of Sandy Hook, who had stopped for traffic. No injuries were reported, and both vehicles sustained minor damage. Satter was issued a verbal warning for following too close.

Illegal Operation

On November 17, at about 2:40 pm, Newtown police received a report of an erratic operator traveling south on South Main Street. Upon locating the vehicle at the Town Transfer Station and investigating, Stephen Thermes, 61, of Newtown was taken into custody and charged with illegal operation under the influence of alcohol or drugs and making an improper turn or stop with no signal (14-242). After processing, Thermes was released on a $100 cash bond and issued a November 29 court date.