Collision During Passing

Newtown Police report Chanel Brown, 44, of Hamden, operating a 2008 Kia Sorento, was traveling westbound on Route 34 at 10:07 am June 15. She was traveling behind a 2018 Volvo XC60 operated by Margaret Studley, 76, of Newtown. Police say Brown attempted to pass Studley and the right rear corner of Brown’s vehicle hit the front left corner of Studley’s vehicle as Brown was attempting to re-enter the westbound lane.

The incident is under investigation.

Lost Key

Newtown Police report a Baldwin residential door key was turned in to the Newtown Police Department on June 16. The key was found on June 15 at Newsylum Brewing Company, 36 Keating Farms Avenue. The owner of the key is asked to contact Officer Mulhall or Sgt Wisentaner of the Newtown Police Department at 203-426-5841 to retrieve the key.

Overturned, Hit Tree

Newtown Police report Chamon Highsmith, 23, of Bridgeport, operating a 2004 Hyundai Elantra, was traveling southbound on South Main Street at 1:19 am June 17. Highsmith’s vehicle turned hard right into a curb, causing it to overturn multiple times, striking a tree and coming to rest facing northbound on the southbound roadside.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed due to disabling damage.

No charges were mentioned in the accident report.

Following Too Closely

Newtown Police report McKenna Fullmer, 23, of Newtown, operating a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, was traveling northbound on South Main Street at 4:19 pm June 17. She was traveling behind Kenneth Esposito, 61, of Newtown, operating a Chevrolet (year and model not mentioned in the report). Police say Esposito slowed for traffic and the front bumper of Fullmer’s vehicle struck the rear bumper of Esposito’s vehicle.

Fullmer complained of right knee pain but refused medical attention. A passenger in Esposito’s vehicle complained of neck pain but refused medical attention.

Fullmer was given a verbal warning for following too closely resulting in an accident.

Foot Slipped Off Brake

Newtown Police report Charbel Khalil, 26, address not provided, driving a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu owned by the State of Connecticut, was stopped in traffic for the traffic light at the intersection of Church Hill Road and the Boulevard. He was behind a 2018 Honda CR-V operated by Hellem Rocha-Berke, 51, of Naugatuck. Police say Khalil told police his foot slipped off the brake, causing his vehicle to roll forward and strike the rear of Rocha-Berke’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported at the scene.

Khalil was given a verbal warning for following too close.

Unregistered Vehicle Involved In Collision

Newtown Police report Jack Sullivan, 21, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2015 Jeep Patriot, was traveling eastbound on Berkshire Road at 3:06 pm June 22. He was traveling behind a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado operated by Gary Verdone, 77, of Waterford. Police say Verdone was traveling with traffic and Sullivan was unable to slow his vehicle in time to avoid contact with Verdone’s vehicle. Sullivan attempted an evasive maneuver but failed, and the front end of his vehicle collided with the rear of Verdone’s vehicle. Sullivan traveled on the lawn of a property on Berkshire Road before stopping.

Sullivan was issued an infraction for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart and operating an unregistered vehicle.

U-Turn Leads To Collision

Newtown Police report Elijah Kuhn, 20, of Sandy Hook, operating a 1999 BMW 323I, was traveling northbound on South Main Street at 4:30 pm June 22. Ashleigh Garrity, 21, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2004 Acura MDX, was traveling behind Kuhn’s vehicle. Police say Kuhn attempted to make a U-turn using the driveway of the plaza of 43 South Main Street, and failed to clear the roadway prior to re-entering the street, causing the driver’s side front bumper of his vehicle to strike the rear passenger’s side of Garrity’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported.

Kuhn was issued an infraction for making a restricted turn.

Sideswiped Oncoming Vehicle

Newtown Police report Bianca Guzman, 68, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2002 Ford Focus, was traveling eastbound on Philo Curtis Road near Bishop Circle at 8:52 pm June 22. Zheng Zhang, 52, of Sandy Hook, was traveling westbound on Philo Curtis Road near Bishop Circle. Police say Guzman’s vehicle crossed the centerline, resulting in the front driver’s side of her vehicle sideswiping the driver’s side door of Zhang’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Guzman’s vehicle suffered disabling damage and was towed from the scene.

Guzman was issued an infraction for failure to drive right.

Rear-Ended On Wasserman Way

Newtown Police report Patrick Daly, 24, of Bethel, operating a 1995 Buick LeSabre, was traveling westbound on Wasserman Way at 8:15 am June 23. He was traveling behind a 2022 Tesla Model Y operated by Xiao Weng, 35, of Trumbull. Police say Weng stopped in traffic and Daly did not stop his vehicle in time to avoid a collision with Weng’s vehicle. The front of Daly’s vehicle struck the rear bumper of Weng’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported.

Daly was issued a written warning for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart.

Sex Offender Arrest

Newtown Police report Steven Tenney, 63, of Sandy Hook, was arrested at 9 am June 23 on the charges of four counts of failure to register by a person who has committed a sexual offense. He was released on a promise to appear with a court date of July 13.

Charged With DUI

Newtown Police report Stephen Berte, 67, of Newtown, was arrested at 12:42 pm June 23, on the charge of illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He was released on a promise to appear with a court date of July 7.

Went Off Road

Newtown Police report Riley Dibiase, 17, of Middlebury, operating a 2008 Honda Accord, was traveling northbound on Swamp Road at the intersection of Botsford Hill Road at 11:28 am June 23. Dibiase turned right from Swamp Road onto Botsford Hill Road and went off the road and shoulder, damaging curbing as the car exited the roadway. The front end of Dibiase’s vehicle traveled into thick brush.

No injuries were reported. Dibiase’s vehicle was towed. Dibiase was issued an infraction for making an improper turn.

Lost Control, Hit Sign

Newtown Police report Adeniran Adebowale, 45, of West Haven, operating a 2007 Toyota Corolla, was traveling westbound on Berkshire Road in the area of Zoar Road at 10:03 pm June 22. Adebowale lost control of his vehicle, proceeding over the eastbound lane, over the curb, and colliding with a road sign before coming to a stop on the roadside embankment.

No injuries were reported. Adebowale’s vehicle was towed due to disabling damage.

Adebowale was issued an infraction for failure to maintain lane.