Multiple Charges Follow Crash

Newtown police were dispatched to the area of 20 Turkey Hill Road around 5:31 pm, Saturday, August 1, following a report of a vehicle vs utility pole.

Upon arrival, officers found a 2013 Ford F-250 trapped under a downed utility pole, with live electrical wires on the vehicle.

The operator was found a short distance away, having exited the vehicle prior to police arrival.

Following an extensive investigation, officers arrested Johnathan Michalka, 25, of Monroe. Michalka was charged with illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol/drugs, possession of a firearm while under the influence of a alcohol or drugs, possession of a large capacity magazine, and failure to drive in proper lane.

Michalka was released on a $4,000 bond and given an August 17 court date at Danbury Superior Court.

Failure To Drive Reasonably Apart

Newtown police report a 1999 Jeep Wrangler being operated by Michael D. Ballwig, 23, of Danbury, was traveling eastbound on Church Hill Road around 5:41 pm, Thursday, August 12.

A 2012 Honda Pilot EX-L being operated by Eliza A. Roth, 17, of Newtown, was also traveling east on Church Hill, in front of the Jeep.

The Honda slowed to a stop for a yellow-turning-red traffic signal. As the Honda stopped, the Jeep was unable to stop in time. The front of the Jeep struck the rear of the Honda, causing very minor damage to the car.

No injuries were reported.

Ballwig was issued an infraction for violation failure to drive a reasonable distance apart.

Conflicting Statements

Newtown police report a 2009 Toyota Sienna being operated by Zane D. Landers, 18, of Stamford, was traveling northbound on Pole Bridge Road, approaching the intersection with Jeremiah Road, around 7:34 pm, Thursday, August 12.

At the same time, a 2016 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited being operated by Jessica M. Queensberry, 16, of Sandy Hook, was traveling eastbound on Philo Curtis Road, approaching the intersection with Pole Bridge Road.

As the Subaru was traveling east through the intersection to continue straight onto Jeremiah Road, the Toyota was traveling northbound through the intersection to continue straight onto Pole Bridge Road.

The front end of the Toyota struck the passenger side of the Subaru.

No injuries were reported on scene to either driver nor a passenger in the Toyota.

Due to conflicting statements and lack of physical evidence, no fault was assigned nor violations issued.

Verbal Warning

Newtown police report a 2014 Ford Explorer Sport being operated by Salvatore T. Cappuzzo, 16, of Southbury, was turning left off the I-84 West Exit 9 off ramp onto Hawleyville Road around 11:54 am, Friday, August 13.

At that time, a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze LT being operated by Mary T. Forlastro, 69, also of Southbury, was waiting on Hawleyville Road to make a left turn onto the I-84 West on ramp.

The Ford struck the Chevrolet from behind.

Cappuzzo told police he had been looking to the right for a break in traffic and did not see the Cruze, which was to his left, in time to avoid a collision.

There were no injuries.

Cappuzzo was given a verbal warning.

Evading Nissan Sought

Newtown police responded to Housatonic Drive, near its intersection with Shady Rest Boulevard, around 8:54 pm, Friday, August 13, for a reported evading incident.

Roseanne M. Baranowski, no address given, told police she had been traveling east on Housatonic when another vehicle approached from the opposite direction. Baranowski moved her vehicle, a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Premium, to the right of the narrow roadway, but the oncoming vehicle did not do the same.

The oncoming vehicle then struck Baranowski’s Subaru, and then continued traveling west on Housatonic Drive before leaving the area.

Baranowski told police she attempted to locate the evading motor vehicle but was unable to do so.

A hubcap with blue paint transfer was located in the area. The hubcab was from a Nissan of unknown make or model.

The evading vehicle will have damage to the front driver’s side bumper and quarter panel, with bright blue paint transfer. The vehicle will also be missing its front driver’s side hubcap.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Newtown PD at 203-426-5841 in reference to Case #2100010048.

Felony, Misdemeanor

Newtown police report they were sent to a Sandy Hook address around 12:23 am, Saturday, August 14, for a report of an argument between two individuals.

Prior to their arrival on scene, the officers were also told that the involved in the argument had moved to a second location, with active orders of protections in place.

Upon arrival, police observed Alfia Sutieva, 29, of Newtown, walking in a driveway of the second location. It was further determined that she was in violation of an order of protection in place stating that she was not allowed near that location.

Sutieva was arrested and transported to Newtown Police Department, where she was charged with criminal trespass-first degree and violation of a protective order. The latter is a Class D felony.

She was released on a written promise to appear and given an August 16 court appearance at Danbury Superior Court. According to the Connecticut Judicial database, Sutieva was arraigned on Monday. No additional information was available as of Wednesday afternoon.

DUI, Awaiting Disposition

Newtown police report a 1996 Chevrolet C3500 heavy-duty pickup truck being operated by Gregory W. Hanson, 56, of Sandy Hook, was traveling northbound on Queen Street, near Elizabeth Street, around 8:25 pm, Saturday, August 14.

At the same time, Joseph R. Topolski, 46, of Newtown, began backing a 2018 Jeep Wrangler from a driveway in that area.

The front section of the pickup truck made contact with the rear passenger side of the Jeep. The Jeep was pushed sideways northbound, and came to rest partially in the roadway and in the driveway.

The truck continued to travel northbound before stopping in the southbound lane of Queen Street.

No injuries were reported.

Topolski was given a verbal warning for unsafe backing.

Hanson was given a misdemeanor summons for DWI. According to the Connecticut Judicial database, the case is awaiting disposition. Hanson’s next court date is scheduled for September 28 in New Britain.

Two Charges Follow Altercation

Newtown police were called to investigate an altercation at Cover Two Sports Café, 100 Church Hill Road, around 12:28 am, Sunday, August 15.

The incident reportedly involved Joseph Stromsky, 24, of Sandy Hook, verbally arguing with the victim and then using his fist to punch the fender of the victim’s vehicle, a 2018 Chevy Silverado, causing damage to the left front fender.

Stromsky was charged with breach of peace-second degree and criminal mischief-third degree.

Two Charges

Newtown police report that officers were dispatched to a home in Sandy Hook around 9:20 pm, Sunday, August 15, for a dispute in progress. Upon arrival, officers found a 20-year-old male who had sustained multiple punches to the head.

An investigation and eyewitness accounts led officers to arrest Paul Tani, 50, of Sandy Hook, of the above address, for disorderly conduct-second degree and interfering with an officer/resisting.

Tani, who had fled the scene, was later located without incident. He was processed at police headquarters and released on a promise to appear in Danbury Superior Court the following day.

According to the Connecticut Judicial Branch, the court is now awaiting a plea on this case. Tani’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 9.

He was released on a written promise to appear at Danbury Superior Court on September 1.

Hyundai vs Kenworth

Connecticut State Police report a 2015 Kenworth tractor-trailer being operated by Martin E. Cohen, 65, of Andalusia, Ala., was traveling on I-84 West in the left lane of three, prior to Exit 10, around 8:46 pm, Monday, August 16.

At the same time, a 2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS Limited being operated by Alissa G. Hurd, 19, of Southbury, was also traveling on I-84 West, in the center lane of three, when it attempted to merge into the left lane.

As the Hyundai began to merge left, it struck the front passenger side wheel and quarter panel of the tractor-trailer.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps also responded to the collision.

No injuries were reported. The Hyundai was towed for disabling damage.

Hurd was issued a warning for the improper passing-unsafe distance.

Hawleyville Crash

Newtown police report Vaughn C. Keeney, 17, of Newtown, was operating a 2011 Honda CR-V LX southbound on Taunton Lane, around 4:50 pm Monday, August 16, when she lost control of the auto (see photo).

While negotiating a left hand curve in the roadway, the CR-V entered the southbound shoulder and struck a mailbox in front of 10 Taunton Lane. The car continued on the southbound shoulder and struck a Frontier utility pole before stopping. Keeney told police she was rerouting her GPS when her vehicle left the roadway.

Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps also responded to the crash.

Keeney was transported to a hospital for suspected minor injury.

She was issued an infraction for making a restricted turn.

The Honda was towed from the scene due to disabling damage.

Silverado vs Silverado

Connecticut State Police report a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado being operated by Robinnea Piercy, 19, of Summerville, S.C., was traveling on I-84 West, approximately 300 feet west of Exit 11, around 9:36 pm, Monday, August 16.

A second 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, being operated by Christopher D. Fussell, 46, of Beaufort, S.C., was traveling directly behind the first Silverado.

Both vehicles are registered to Principle Merchants Leasing Ltd, Hooksett, N.H.

Piercy slowed the vehicle she was driving for congested traffic conditions ahead.

Fussell was unable to stop his truck in time, and the front of his vehicle struck the rear of the first Silverado.

No injuries were reported.

The Silverado being driven by Fussell was towed from the scene.

Fussell was given a verbal warning for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart, resulting in a motor vehicle accident.