Four-Vehicle Accident Causes Extended Travel Delays On South Main Street

By Andrew Gorosko

A four-vehicle, multiple-impact accident that occurred on both sides of South Main Street caused lengthy travel delays in both directions there during the evening rush period on Thursday, December 9.

The accident took place about 5:30 pm near South Main Street’s southern intersection with Elm Drive. Traffic was backed up in both directions, with some northbound motorists detouring onto northbound Elm Drive to avoid the congestion. Elm Drive then became congested.

Newtown Hook & Ladder firefighters responded to the collision, as did police.

Police provided this description of the accident:

Southbound motorist Edneia Oliveira, 36, of Danbury, who was driving a 1991 Toyota Corolla, experienced a vehicle problem and then lost control of the auto, striking the rear end of a southbound 1998 Ford Taurus driven by Deborah Alletzhauser, 51, of Stratford.

That impact pushed the Ford Taurus into the rear end of a southbound 2000 Ford Windstar minivan driven by Manuel Andre, 56, of Trumbull.

The Toyota then crossed the road’s center line and collided with a northbound 2002 Ford Windstar minivan driven by Michael Dapolite, 37, of New Fairfield.

Following that impact, the 2002 Ford Windstar went out of control and struck a tree alongside the southbound road shoulder, police said.

Dapolite reported arm pain, but declined medical attention, police said.

Police issued Oliveira, whose Toyota initiated the four-vehicle accident, an infraction ticket for following too closely.