First responders spent nearly an hour looking for a male driver after he rolled a sedan on Berkshire Road and then left the scene early Friday morning.

Jose J. Calix-Dominguez, 21, of Monroe, is facing three charges after walking away from the crash.

Newtown Police, Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps were dispatched at 1:17 am to the state road, between its intersections with Old Mill Road and High Rock Road, after at least two people called 911 to report seeing a vehicle on its roof in that area. One person reportedly told dispatchers they saw a person walking in the area.

Botsford Fire Rescue was initially added to the call when responders thought the call included extrication, but that company was returned to service before arriving on the scene. The driver was alone in the 2005 Honda Accord and had in fact walked away from it.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief Ryan Clark was in command at the scene. He said first responders found the four-door sedan on its roof, on the eastbound shoulder, upon arrival.

“No occupants were found, so firefighters used thermal imaging cameras and light towers to search the area around the vehicle, to be sure nobody was thrown” during the crash, Clark said.

The air temperature at that hour was right at the freezing point.

Connecticut State Police K-9 Jaris was also dispatched to the scene, and was able to locate the operator of the vehicle shortly after 2 am. Clark said Calix-Dominguez was in the woods, “a short distance from the car.”

NVAC personnel checked Calix-Dominguez for injuries. He was not transported to the hospital.

Instead, he was transported to Newtown Police Department, according to the police report. He was then charged with evading responsibility in the operation of motor vehicles causing injury and/or property damage, making a restricted turn, and operating a motor vehicle without a license. He was given a $1,000 bond, which he was unable to post.

He was held at Newtown PD until later that day, when he appeared at Danbury Superior Court.

Calix-Dominguez pled Not Guilty to all three charges. He is being represented by a public defender.

He was released from custody following the court appearance. His next scheduled court date is January 31 in Danbury.

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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.