U-Turn Collision

Newtown police report a 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited SUV was making a U-turn in the parking lot of Treadwell Memorial Park, 49 Philo Curtis Road, traveling eastbound, around 5:09 pm Monday, June 21.

Meanwhile, a 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, also an SUV, was traveling northbound in the exit driveway of the park.

The Jeep entered into the exit driveway and the passenger side front end of that SUV struck the driver side of the Dodge.

No injuries were reported at scene. No enforcement was noted.

Conflicting Statements

Newtown police report a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited being operated by Robin L. Fennimore, 56, of Newtown was traveling eastbound on Mt Pleasant Road near Pocono Road around 5:26 pm Saturday, June 26.

Meanwhile, a 2017 Infiniti Qx50 compact SUV being operated by Michelle A. Singer, 20, of Southbury, was traveling southbound on Pocono Road.

The Jeep made a left turn onto Pocono Road. The front driver side quarter panel of that vehicle collided with the driver side front bumper of the Infiniti.

No injuries were reported to either driver nor a passenger in the Infiniti.

Due to the conflicting statements made by the operators and the debris in the roadway, fault could not be established.

No enforcement action was taken.

Arrested On Three Charges

On June 30, Newtown police received a complaint regarding threats being made toward an individual.

After an investigation, Marcus S. Smith, 34, of Newtown, was placed under arrest and charged with one count each of disorderly conduct, a felony; and assault-second degree and threatening-second degree, both misdemeanors.

Smith was held on a $50,000 bond and scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on July 1. Pre-trial has been scheduled for 10 am, Thursday, August 12, also at Danbury Superior Court.

Following Too Close

Newtown police report Yuvelca L. Reyes, 20, of Marlboro, N.Y., was operating a 2016 Kia Optima LX traveling southbound on South Main Street approaching Hawley Road around 2:02 pm, Friday, July 2.

A 2012 Toyota Sequoia being operated by Jennifer R. Tardelli, 49, of Atlanta, Ga., was traveling behind the Kia. When the Kia slowed in traffic, the front bumper of the Toyota reportedly struck the rear bumper of the Kia.

Newtown EMS responded for medical evaluations of both operators, a passenger in the Kia, and three passengers in the Sequoia. No one was transported to the hospital.

The Kia was towed by Modzelewski’s due to disabling damage. Reyes was issued an infraction for following too closely causing an accident.

Berkshire At Jordan Hill Rollover

Newtown police report Shannon Cullen, 23, of Brookfield, was operating a 2017 Ford Escape SE compact SUV northbound on Berkshire Road around 7:06 am, ,Sunday, July 4.

While negotiating a right turn near Jordan Hill Road, the Escape ran off the roadway to the right and struck a large rock. The vehicle rolled onto its driver side in the process, before coming to a full stop facing southbound on Berkshire Road.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps also responded to the crash.

No injuries were reported, but due to the severity of the accident, Cullen was checked by ambulance personnel. She declined further medical assistance.

The Escape was towed from the scene, and Cullen was given a verbal warning for failure to maintain lane.

Failure To Maintain Lane

Newtown police responded around 1:26 am, Tuesday, July 6, to a one-vehicle crash on South Main Street near Button Shop Road.

Following an investigation, police determined that Daniel Aurelia, 27, of Sandy Hook, had been traveling north on South Main Street when the 2002 BMW 330ci he was operating crossed the center line and then went off the roadway. The car struck the face of a guardrail on the southbound side of the shoulder, and then a utility pole, coming to a stop on the southbound shoulder of the road. The utility pole was snapped at the base according to the report.

The car was towed due to disabling damage. Aurelia was issued an infraction for failure to maintain a lane.

Verbal Warning

Newtown police report a 2011 Honda CR-V SE compact SUV being operated by Sara Chille, 23, of Trumbull, was traveling northbound on Hanover Road near Echo Valley Road around 7:27 am, Tuesday, July 6.

Linda Seaman, 69, of Newtown, in a 2004 Jeep Liberty, also a compact SUV, was making a left turn out of the driveway of 96 Hanover Road, to head southbound on Hanover. When Seaman pulled out from the driveway, the Jeep struck the front passenger corner of the Honda.

Seaman told police she had looked at traffic to her right and did not see the Honda approaching from the left and believed that she was all clear.

There were no injuries.

Seaman was given a verbal warning for failure to yield right of way at a private road or driveway.

Following Too Closely

Newtown police report a 2020 Honda CR-V being operated by Elizabeth J. Fescoe, 64, of Newtown, was traveling northbound on Hawleyville Road around 3:01 pm, Wednesday, July 7.

Fescoe reportedly came up behind a 2012 Toyota Corolla being operated by Heather D. Palmer, 25, of Brookfield that was stopped at a red traffic signal at the intersection of Hawleyville Road and Mt Pleasant Road, waiting to turn right. The right front end of the Honda struck the left back end of the Toyota.

Fescoe stated she believed that the Toyota was turning right onto Mt Pleasant Road. Palmer told police she was stopped at the red traffic control signal when the Honda struck the Toyota.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene. No injuries were reported.

Fescoe was given a verbal warning for following too close resulting in a motor vehicle accident.

Written Warnings For Both Drivers

Newtown police report a 2021 Nissan Altima midsize auto being operated by Ronald Qualia, 76, of Yorktown Heights, N.Y., was traveling westbound on Church Hill Road around 5:44 pm, Wednesday, July 7.

Meanwhile, a 2013 Hyundai Elantra compact car being operated by Anastasia M. Ramos, 23, of Derby, was traveling eastbound on Church Hill Road. The Altima was attempting a left turn toward the parking lot of Blue Colony Diner, 66 Church Hill Road, when the right front section on that car made contact with the left front section of the Elantra.

At the time of the crash, according to the police report, the Elantra was traveling in its proper lane and had the right of way.

No injuries were reported to either driver, nor to the passenger with Qualia in the Nissan.

Qualia was issued a written warning for making a restricted turn.

Ramos was issued a written warning for operating an unregistered motor vehicle.

Mailbox Hit In Rainy Skid

Newtown police report Logan P. Domingo, 20, of Danbury, was operating a 2005 Hyundai Elantra westbound on Berkshire Road around 12:06 am, Friday, July 9. It was raining at the time and the road was wet.

While navigating a curve just prior to Zoar Road, the Hyundai went off the northern side of the roadway. It hit the mailbox of 109 Berkshire, and also damaged some landscaping in the area.

No injuries were reported. The Elantra was towed due to damage.

Domingo was given a verbal warning for failure to keep to the right on a curve.

Verbal Warning

Newtown police report a 2014 Buick Enclave SUV being operated by Michelle A. Wilder, 38, of Saco, Me., was traveling southbound on Currituck Road approaching the intersection with Main Street around 1:42 pm, Saturday, July 10.

A 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4-matic compact SUV being operated by Megan E. Lacava, 52, of Southbury, was traveling southbound in front of the Buick. Both vehicles were in stop-and-go traffic, according to the report, as vehicles ahead proceeded through the stop sign.

The Mercedes-Benz proceeded forward and slowed, at which time the Buick collided with its rear bumper.

No injuries were reported to either driver, nor to the passenger in the Mercedes-Benz.

Wilder was issued a verbal warning for following too close.

Arrested On Warrant

On July 13, Newtown police took Solomon Valentine, 38, of Bridgeport, into custody on an outstanding warrant. The warrant stems from an incident that occurred in Newtown, on February 27, 2021, when local police observed a vehicle stopped on South Main Street.

Upon investigation, police report finding Valentine was in possession of marijuana with PCP and ecstasy pills, with the intent to sell.

At the time, police sent Valentine to the hospital for medical treatment, as he had ingested both illegal drugs. Police later obtained a warrant for his arrest.

This week, Valentine was charged with one count of illegal use/possession of drug marijuana, less than half an ounce of marijuana; and two counts of possession of a controlled substance-first offense.

Valentine was processed and released from police custody on a promise to appear on July 27, at Danbury Superior Court.