Jeep Strikes Volvo

Newtown Police report John McIntyre, 18, of Monroe, operating a 2017 Jeep Wrangler, was traveling eastbound on Berkshire Road at 2:57 pm January 2. He was traveling behind a 2012 Volvo S60 operated by Lillian Lopez, 59, of Sandy Hook. Lopez slowed quickly for traffic ahead and McIntyre rear-ended her vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

McIntyre received a written warning for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart.

Hit Vehicle At Red Light

Newtown Police report James Hensel, 50, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2023 Jeep Cherokee, was traveling eastbound on Church Hill Road towards the Boulevard at 11:52 am January 6. Heather Coogan, 36, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2023 Volvo Xc90, was stopped in the eastbound lane of Church Hill Road ahead of Hensel for a red light at the intersection of Church Hill Road and the Boulevard. Hensel rear-ended Coogan’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Hensel was issued a verbal warning for traveling too fast for conditions.

Missed Truck, Hit Sign

Newtown Police report James Benvenuti, 20, of Monroe, operating a 2005 Honda Accord, was traveling southbound on Great Quarter Road at 12:24 pm January 6. As Benvenuti approached the intersection of Berkshire Road, a large truck began to turn onto Great Quarter Road from Berkshire Road. Due to snow, Benvenuti began to slide as he applied the brakes, and while he was able to avoid the truck, he slid off the roadway and into a stop sign.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle was not towed.

Benvenuti was issued a verbal warning for traveling too fast for conditions.

Slid On Snow Into Car

Newtown Police report Charles Godfrey, 87, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2019 Subaru Legacy, was traveling on Orange Pippin Road at 2:52 pm January 6. Njeri Patterson, 23, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2014 Ford Edge, was traveling northbound on Gelding Hill Road. Godfrey said he attempted to stop at the posted stop sign but his vehicle began to slide on the snow covered roadway, and his vehicle struck Patterson’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

No enforcement action was taken.

Sideswiped Car on Slippery Slope

Newtown Police report Malissa Sasda, 28, of Bethel, operating a 2017 Jeep Wrangler, was traveling on Mt Pleasant Road at 5:48 pm January 7. She was traveling behind a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 operated by Sarah Ekperigin, 59, of Newtown. Sasda experienced a brake malfunction while trying to slow down after seeing Ekperigin’s vehicle had stopped to make a left turn into a driveway. Sasda’s vehicle sideswiped Ekperigin’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

The investigating officer noted an icy patch from a recent snow/rain storm and did not issue any enforcement action.

Struck Utility Pole

Newtown Police report Leslie Gonzalez, 22, of Weston, operating a 2015 Toyota Sienna, was traveling southbound on Poverty Hollow Road at 9:19 am January 8. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a utility pole.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed.

Gonzalez was issued an infraction that was unidentified in the police report.

Hit Deer On Berkshire

Newtown Police report Mary Bader, 51, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, was traveling eastbound on Berkshire Road at 6:43 pm January 8. A deer entered the road and Bader’s vehicle struck the deer.

Bader reported no injuries. The vehicle was not towed.

No enforcement action was taken.

Hit Utility Pole

Newtown Police report Marisa Musacchio, 21, of Sherman, operating a 2019 BMW X2, was traveling eastbound on Berkshire Road at 6:50 am January 11. Musacchio attempted to slow and turn right onto Jordan Hill Road, but left the roadway and struck a utility pole on the eastbound shoulder of Berkshire Road at Jordan Hill Road.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed.

Musacchio was issued a verbal warning for traveling too fast for conditions.

Slid Into Utility Pole

Newtown Police report Barbara Juliani-Garcia, 35, of Newtown, operating a 2015 Honda Pilot, was traveling westbound on Nunnawauk Road at 9:57 am January 11. While negotiating a left-hand curve, the vehicle ran off the snow-covered roadway right and struck a utility pole.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed.

Juliani-Garcia was issued a verbal warning for failure to maintain a lane.

Another Deer Hit On Berkshire

Newtown Police report Denny Duras, 43, of West Hartford, operating a 2012 Infiniti G37, was traveling northbound on Berkshire Road at 11:22 pm January 12. A deer ran out into the roadway and Duras’ vehicle struck it.

Duras reported no injuries. The vehicle was towed.

No enforcement action was taken.

Arrested For Motor Vehicle Larceny

Newtown Police report Mark Vaughns, 41, of Bridgeport, was arrested at 1:54 pm January 13 on the charges of operating a motor vehicle without a license, and larceny of a motor vehicle — first offense. He was released with a court date of January 28 in Danbury Superior Court.

Evading Charge

Newtown Police report Si Thu Aung, 37, of Bethel, was arrested at 9:48 pm January 13 on the charges of evading responsibility for property damage or injury, and illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He was released on a $500 bond with a court date of January 28.