Side Swiped

Troopers were called to the area of I-84 westbound prior to Exit 11 at about 8:29 pm on October 17 following a reported collision. Upon arrival, it was reported that a 2012 Toyota Tacoma being operated by Brian Matthew Johnson, 21, of Southbury changed lanes and hit the rear driver's side of a 2017 Hyundai Elantra operated by Jonathan Goldman, 58, of Goldens Bridge, N.Y.

Johnson was subsequently issued an infraction for making an unsafe lane change.

Chain Reaction Crash

About 9:04 am on October 17, Connecticut State Police troopers were called to the area of westbound Exit 11 after a reported three-vehicle collision. Upon investigation, it was reported that Tone Ruccio, 58, was traveling in a 2013 Honda CR-V, followed by a 2010 Subaru Outback operated by Jessica Zelda Jones, 31, of Waterbury. As both slowed for traffic, the Subaru was struck from behind by a 2011 Chevrolet sedan being operated by Evelyn Atwood, 21, of Portland, Maine. The force of that collision drove the Subaru into the rear of the Honda.

The Chevrolet was damaged to the extent it had to be towed, and its operator was issued an infraction for following too closely.

Driver Side Hit

On October 17 at about 8:34 am, John Harvey Halbrook, 70, of Sandy Hook was operating a 2014 Toyota Camry, attempting to exit a driveway at 92 Church Hill Road, when he struck the driver's side of a 2012 Kia Sorento being operated by Amy Griffin, 39, of Newtown.

Upon investigation, Halbrook was issued a written warning for failure to grant the right of way.

Prius Into Bridge

Newtown police were called to the railroad bridge on Botsford Hill Road, just east of Swamp Road, at about 8:34 am on October 17 after a reported one-vehicle crash. Upon arrival they report that Shuyun Yin, 42, of Sandy Hook was traveling northbound on Botsford Hill Road when his 2015 Toyota Prius struck a support on the railroad bridge, and spun into the oncoming lane before coming to rest. Botsford Fire and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance crews were also dispatched to the scene.

The vehicle was damaged to the extent it had to be towed, and the operator was issued an infraction for making a restricted turn.

Youth Wallet Found

Newtown Police believe they located a wallet belonging to a youth who may have been waiting for a school bus on October 17 near the intersection of Wendover and Schoolhouse Hill Roads.

Anyone who wishes to claim the wallet should contact officer Adam James at 203-426-5841.

Possession Of Weapon

At about 7:02 pm on October 15, police on routine patrol observed a suspicious vehicle parked near the public boat ramp at 160 Hanover Road. Upon investigation, police arrested operator Jose E. Miranda, 61, of Danbury, charging him with operating under the influence, possession of less than four ounces of marijuana, and one count of possession of weapons in a vehicle.

Miranda was subsequently processed and released on a $500 cash bond pending an October 31 court appearance.

Vehicle Towed

On October 14 at 9 am, police were called to a crash near the intersection of South Main Street and Wills Road. Upon arrival, police say that Cindy Johanna Warner, 22, of Newtown was operating a 2002 Honda Accord southbound when it failed to stop for traffic, colliding with the rear of a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up being operated by Daniel Paris, 39, of Shelton.

The Honda sustained significant damage and was towed from the scene. Warner was issued a verbal warning for following too closely.

Courtesy Collision

On October 14 at about 3:51 pm, Newtown Police were called to the intersection of Swamp Road and South Main Street for a reported minor collision. Upon arrival and investigation, it is reported that Maria Da Costa, 43, was operating a 2006 Honda Civic LX southbound. It is reported that when she slowed to let an uninvolved vehicle turn left from Swamp Road, the Honda was struck from behind by a 1995 Mitsubishi Mirage, being operated by Linda Brainaird, 63, of Monroe.

That operator was issued a verbal warning for following too closely.

Minivan Into Guardrail

State Police were called to the area of Exit 11 on I-84 West October 14 at about 11:33 pm following a reported crash. Upon arrival troopers determined that Manuel Lliguizaca, 41, of Danbury was operating a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan about a mile east of Exit 11 when he entered the median, striking a wire rope guardrail.

The driver was issued an infraction for failure to maintain a lane and operating without a license.

Larceny Warrant

At 9:05 am on October 13, Andrew Drap, 49, of Sandy Hook, turned himself in at the Newtown Police Department on an outstanding warrant stemming from a Newtown Savings Bank complaint. That complaint stated that in May and June of this year, the accused deposited checks from a different bank that did not have funds to cover the deposits.

Drap was charged with Larceny 3 and released to the Wolcott Police Dept on a $1,500 surety bond pending an October 24 court appearance.

According to the report, Wolcott Police were also holding an outstanding warrant on the individual.

Witnesses Sought

Newtown Police are seeking any witnesses to a reported minor collision that occurred on October 13 at about 9 pm in front of 50 Main Street. Police say that at that time, a 2010 Subaru Legacy owned by a Sandy Hook resident was parked on the shoulder and struck by an unknown vehicle, causing minor damage, including the detachment of its left side mirror.

Anyone with information on this evading incident is asked to contact investigation officer Paula Wickman at 203-426-5841.

Interstate Crash

At about 12:42 am on October 12, State Police responded to the area of Exit 10 on eastbound I-84 where they discovered a crash involving 2005 Honda Civic being operated by Jonathan Wilson, 30, of Northampton, Mass. Troopers report the operator lost control of the vehicle striking and damaged about 20 feet of metal beam guardrail.

No injury was reported, but the vehicle was damaged to the extent it had to be towed from the scene.

Drug-Related Arrest

After being dispatched to the area of 102 Church Hill Road at 12:30 pm on October 12, on a report of suspicious activity in a motor vehicle, Newtown Police say they identified and pulled over Jahan X. Pinckney, 38, of Oxford.

Following an investigation, Pinckney was charged with making a restricted turn, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance (marijuana), and released on a $100 cash bond pending an October 20 court date.

Church Hill Collision

Police say that around 1:43 pm on October 12, operator Harry Steinway, 69, of Southbury had stopped his 2013 Lexus Rx 350 westbound to turn into a driveway at 46 Church Hill Road, when he was struck from behind by a 1996 Toyota Camry being operated by Reshat Beluli, 41, of Naugatuck.

No injuries were reported, but Beluli was issued an infraction for following too close.

Interstate Rear-Ender

Around 3:47 pm on October 12, State Troopers answered a call about a minor crash near eastbound Exit 9. Upon arrival, it was determined that Joshua Taylor Gallant, 27 of Virginia Beach, Va., was operating a 2018 Audi Q5 and slowing for traffic when he was struck from behind by a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze sedan being operated by Jenna Bogdan, 25, of Haddam.

Upon investigation, that operator was issued a verbal warning for following too close.

Rear End Crash

Following a reported collision on October 11 at about 5:08 pm, police responded to the area of Toddy Hill Road and Turnberry Lane. Upon arrival police say that a 2008 Chevrolet Express van being operated by Richie Jones, 29, of New Haven, had failed to stop for traffic and hit the rear of a commercial Ford F150 pick-up being operated by Timothy Fox, 39, of Middlebury.

Upon investigation, Jones was issued a written warning for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart.

Unreasonable Distance

Newtown Police were called to Berkshire Road in the area of Sherman Street around 11:24 am on October 10 following a reported two-vehicle crash. Upon arrival and investigation, officers issued a verbal warning to Jason Drish, 33, who had been operating a 2014 Freightliner van eastbound, when he struck the rear of a 2012 Volkswagen Passat being operated by Virginia McKenna-Seaman, 53, of Newtown, who police say slowed for a non contact vehicle turning into Sherman Street.

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

South Main Collision

On October 6 at about 4:49 pm, Newtown police responded to the intersection of South Main Street and Borough Lane following a reported traffic collision. Officers determined that Franca Deangelis, 86, who was operating a 2004 Hyundai Accent, attempted to turn northbound from her private driveway onto South Main Street, and according to the report, struck a 2003 Subaru Legacy being operated by John Reardon, 19, of Sandy Hook, causing minor damage to both vehicles.

Deangelis was subsequently issued a verbal warning for failure to grant the right of way at a driveway.

Crash And Fire

Newtown Police report a 2008 Saturn Vue was destroyed by fire after it reportedly crashed into a utility pole around 11:26 pm on October 2 in the area of 12 Hattertown Road. According to the report, Justin Garcia of Bethel was traveling northbound when the Saturn left the roadway, struck a pole, spun around, and came to rest, when it burst into flames. When officers and Dodgingtown Fire volunteers arrived, the uninjured operator was standing near the scene with a passerby.

After an investigation, the operator was issued infractions for making a restricted turn, and traveling too fast for conditions.