Berkshire Road Collision

A two-vehicle collision happened about 4:15 pm on May 7 near 32 Berkshire Road, near that street’s intersection with Toddy Hill Road.

In that incident, motorist Crystal Anderson, 21, of Danbury, who was driving a 1995 GMC Jimmy SUV, struck the rear end of a 2009 Ford Edge SUV driven by Gloria Benkowski, 56, of 119 Berkshire Road, police report.

There were no injuries. Anderson received an infraction for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart and for driving without a license, according to police.

Flagpole Accident

At about 5 pm on May 7 during the evening rush, a two-vehicle accident occurred at the flagpole intersection of Main Street, Church Hill Road and West Street, according to police.

In that incident, motorist Erica Schlachman, 27, of Milford, who was driving a 2013 Subaru Impreza sedan, struck a 1997 Buick Century sedan driven by Sonia Minchala, 25, of Danbury, police said.

There were no injuries. Police said they gave Schlachman a written warning for passing in a no-passing zone. Police report they issued Minchala an infraction for failure to obey a stop sign and for driving without a license.

Stray Boat

Police report that at about 1 pm on May 11, a person found a stray blue paddleboat floating on Lake Zoar in the vicinity of 11 Lake Drive. Lake Drive is in the Riverside section of Sandy Hook, near the Rochambeau Bridge of Interstate 84.

Police ask anyone with knowledge of the boat’s ownership to contact investigating police Officer John McCluskey at the police station at 3 Main Street, telephone 203-426-5841.

Hawleyville Crash

A two-vehicle accident occurred at the intersection of Hawleyville Road (Route 25) and an off-ramp at Exit 9 of Interstate 84 at about 4:30 pm on May 9.

Police said motorist Gisela Tavares, 33, of Danbury, who was driving a 2002 Honda Civic sedan, made a turn out from the ramp onto Hawleyville Road and then collided with motorist Gregory Garland, 28, of Bethel, who was driving a commercial 2004 Ford F-550 truck northward on Hawleyville Road.

There were no injuries. Police report the issued Tavares a written warning for failure to grant the right of way.

Toddy Hill Road Crash

Police said that motorist Bradford Brown, 47, of Brewster, N.Y., was driving a 2000 Saturn SL-2 sedan southward on Toddy Hill Road, just south of its intersection with Turnberry Lane, about 10:30 am on May 13, when the auto went off the right road shoulder, struck a storm sewer drain, crossed back over the road, went off the left road shoulder, struck a rock, and then landed in some bushes.

Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps transported Brown to Danbury Hospital for treatment of injuries. Sandy Hook volunteer firefighters responded to the accident.

Police said they issued Brown an infraction for making a restricted turn and for failure to drive to the right on a curve.

Vehicle Damaged

According to a police report, sometime between 9 and 10:20 am on May 14, an unknown motorist driving an unknown vehicle made physical contact with the rear bumper of a dark red Infiniti-brand SUV that was parked in a small parking lot on the north side of Wasserman Way, across Wasserman Way from its intersection with Nunnawauk Road.

That parking lot is located near the entrance to the driveway that leads to the Connecticut Army National Guard’s military dog kennel at Fairfield Hills.

Police ask any witnesses to the collision that occurred in the parking lot to contact them in reference to Case #2014-9051.

Church Hill-Commerce Road Accident

Police report a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Church Hill Road and Commerce Road about 11:18 am on May 15.

In that incident, motorist Rachel Bolinsky, 23, of 3 Wiley Lane was diving a 2004 Toyota Prius eastward on Church Hill Road, police said.

Motorist Warren Pinckney, 89, of 9 Chimney Swift Drive was driving a 2010 Honda CRV SUV northward on Commerce Road and then attempted to turn right onto eastbound Church Hill Road, police said.

The two vehicles collided. There were no injuries. Police said they verbally warned Pinckney for failure to obey a traffic control signal.

Flat Swamp Crash

At about 8 am on May 17, motorist Nicholas Hearl, 20, of Shelton was driving a 1991 Buick Century sedan northward near 24 Flat Swamp Road, when the auto crossed the road’s centerline, went off the left road shoulder and then struck a curbside residential mailbox and a utility pole, police said.

Hearl was transported to Danbury Hospital for treatment of injuries, police said.

Police said they issued Hearl a misdemeanor summons for failure to drive to the right, making a restricted turn, driving with a suspended vehicle registration, and failure to wear a seatbelt.

Truck vs Pole

Police said motorist Justin Miller, 24, of 29 Marlin Road was driving a commercial 2005 Ford F-150 pickup truck southward near 10 Main Street at about 2:36 am on May 17, when the truck crossed into the northbound lane and then struck a utility pole head-on along the northbound road shoulder.

Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps transported Miller to Danbury Hospital, police said. Hook & Ladder volunteer firefighters responded to the accident.

The accident caused a utility disruption in the area which was later restored.

Police said the accident is under investigation.

Deer vs Minivan

Police report that at about 8:30 pm on May 17, Barbra Morris, 60, of 41 Cedar Hill Road was driving a 2004 Honda Odyssey minivan on Mt Pleasant Road near its intersection with Whippoorwill Hill Road when a deer ran into the vehicle.

Morris was not injured. Police took no enforcement.

DUI Incident

(EDITOR'S NOTE, March 11, 2025: This report has been updated to remove the name of the driver as allowed under Connecticut's Clean Slate Law.)

Police report they charged an 18-year-old male with driving under the influence by a minor, driving without a license, and with a travel lane violation following a vehicular accident that occurred near 90 Hattertown Road about 1:30 am on May 18.

That location is north of Hattertown Road’s intersection with Merlin’s Lane.

After processing the case, police released the driver for an upcoming arraignment in Danbury Superior Court.

Warrant Arrest

Police said that after learning that they held a warrant for her, Alida Coster, 24, of 101 Castle Hill Road went to the police station about 4:30 pm on May 19 and was charged with second-degree failure to appear in court.

Newtown police said the warrant originates from a sixth-degree larceny charge against Coster which was filed by Bethel police in November 2012. Coster has pleaded not guilty to that charge.

After processing on May 19, Newtown police released Coster on $1,000 bail for a June 3 appearance on Danbury Superior Court.

Head-On Crash

Police report that motorist Ruben Rivera, 22, of Bridgeport was driving a 2000 Nisan Maxima sedan southward on South Main Street, near Cold Spring Road, about 7:36 am on May 22, as motorist Lola Salzano, 64, of Norwalk was driving a 2003 Acura TL sedan northward there.

The Nissan then crossed into the opposite lane and collided head-on with the Acura, police said. Both motorists were injured and received medical treatment.

Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Botsford volunteer firefighters responded to the incident.

Police said they issued Rivera a misdemeanor summons for reckless driving, failure to drive to the right, driving without a license, and failure to have an automotive insurance identification card.

The accident caused travel delays during the morning rush.