Slowdowns in traffic due to crashes are a frequent occurrence in the eight-plus mile stretch of Interstate 84 that runs through Newtown, and last weekend was no exception.

At least three vehicular collisions marred the weekend of July 28-30, one each day, and two of which included injuries.

At 12:27 pm Friday, July 28, a motorcyclist and his passenger were transported to Danbury Hospital with injuries after the operator dumped his 2007 Yamaha V-Star trying to rapidly stop for traffic. According to Connecticut State Police (CSP), John Philip Deschesne, 61, of Littleton, N.H., was traveling east on I-84 prior to the crash. The crash resulted in highway delays in excess of three miles.

Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company (HVFC) and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps (NVAC) responded to that crash.

Deschesne was issued a verbal warning for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart.

On Saturday, July 29, an operator attempting to avoid a vehicle that was stopped for traffic struck a different vehicle, forcing that vehicle off the road and down an embankment.

According to CSP, Damon Andujar, 23, of Bloomingburg, N.Y., operating a 2001 Lexus ES300, was traveling on Interstate 84 Eastbound in the right lane of three prior to Exit 11 at 1:58 pm.

Pablo Lopez-Cayminagua, 36, of Bridgeport, was operating a 2008 Nissan Titan. When the vehicle in front of him stopped, police said Lopez-Cayminagua swerved in an attempt to avoid a collision. Instead, the Nissan struck the Lexus. The impact forced the Lexus off the road and down the embankment on the southern side of the interstate.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue and NVAC responded to that crash. Andujar reported minor injuries and was transported to Danbury Hospital. His vehicle was towed.

Lopez-Cayminagua was issued an infraction for failure to maintain a lane.

While the third incident did not result in injuries to those involved, one of the two vehicles involved was damaged to the extent that it had to be towed from the scene.

Police report in that third incident of the weekend, Beloved Bridges, 28, of Meriden, operating a 2021 Jeep Gladiator and traveling eastbound on I-84, in the left lane of two, between the Exit 9 off and on ramps, at 3:30 pm Sunday, with four passengers in the vehicle. Kaniyn Parker, 51, of Manchester, operating a 2008 Honda Odyssey, was also traveling eastbound in the left lane, behind the Jeep.

Bridges slowed for traffic ahead and the front of the Honda rear-ended the Jeep. The Honda was towed from the scene due to damage.

HVFC and NVAC responded to that crash.

Parker was issued a written warning for following too close.

Associate Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.