Tunnel Road DWI

By ANDY GOROSKO

Published: Aug 25, 2000 12:00 am

Tunnel Road DWI

Police said they received a description of a vehicle being driven erratically about 1:30 am August 25. Police said they spotted the offending vehicle on Tunnel Road where it approached them with its high- beam headlamps on. The driver then turned into a driveway without signaling, police said.

Police said they stopped the vehicle and charged its driver, Donna Rothenberg, 44, of 16 Botsford Hill Road, with driving while intoxicated.

Â After processing, police released Rothenberg on a promise to appear September 7 in Danbury Superior Court.

Golf Cart Gone

Â Police report that someone sometime between 9 pm August 23 and 7 am August 24 stole a green motorized golf cart from the Rock Ridge Country Club in Dodgingtown.

The golf cart was later found in the woods off Hattertown Road, about one-quarter mile south of the intersection of Hattertown Road and Route 302, police said.

The incident constitutes second-degree larceny and third-degree criminal mischief.

Police ask anyone with information about the theft of the golf cart to contact them at 426-5841.

Chain Reaction

Police report a three-vehicle chain reaction accident on westbound Route 34 near Jordan Hill Road about 3:30 pm August 24.

Police said motorist Eugene A. Licursi, 57, of 41 Eden Hill Road, who was driving a 2000 Ford van, was unable to stop in time and struck the rear end of a stopped 1994 Ford Taurus driven by Karen Smith, 53, of 38 High Rock Road, pushing the Taurus into the rear end of a trailered boat which was being towed behind a 1998 GMC pickup truck driven by John F. Reilly, 40, of New Paltz, N.Y.

When the accident occurred, the Taurus and the GMC had been stopped, waiting for a vehicle in front of them to turn left onto Jordan Hill Road, police said.

There were no injuries.

The Ford van received front-end damage. The Taurus was towed away. The trailer and boat were damaged.

Police issued Licursi an infraction ticket on a charge of failure to drive a reasonable distance apart.

Toddy Hill Crash

Police report a one-vehicle accident about 11:20 pm August 20 on Toddy Hill Road.

Police said motorist Michael J. Abric, 19, of 49 Botsford Hill Road was driving a 1995 Dodge Ram pickup truck southbound on Toddy Hill Road when the truck went off the northbound road shoulder and rolled over.

The Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps transported Abric to Danbury Hospital to be treated for injuries, police said. The accident is under investigation.

Car Vs Deer

Motorist Richard D. Bennette, 44, of Ridgefield was driving a 1998 Chrysler westbound on Route 302 about 7:30 pm August 19 when a deer ran out from the left side of the road and struck the vehicle, police said.

Bennette was not injured. There was no enforcement action.

Rock Incident

Police said they charged two brothers each with third-degree criminal mischief August 27 for allegedly throwing rocks at a parked vehicle on Flat Swamp Road, damaging it.

Police said they charged Christophe Moros, 18, and Stefen Moros, 16, both of 99 Codfish Hill Road, Bethel, in the case. Police released both youths on promises to appear September 13 in Danbury Superior Court.

Three-Vehicle Collision

Police report a three-vehicle accident on southbound Route 25 about 8:30 am August 23.

Police said motorist Julie Alferi, 43, of New Milford, who was driving a 2000 Nissan Pathfinder, stopped and signaled to make a left turn.

A 1993 Oldsmobile sedan driven by Thomas Ward, 51, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., stopped behind the Nissan, police said.

A 1995 Chevrolet pickup driven by Erik Valko, 21, of Shelton, then struck the rear end of the Oldsmobile, pushing the Oldsmobile into the Nissan, police said.

There were no injuries. Police said they issued Valko a written warning for driving an unreasonable distance apart.

Interstate Crash

State police report an accident between a Honda and a Toyota about 11 am August 26 on eastbound Interstate-84, about one mile west of Exit 10.

State police said a 1999 Honda Accord driven by Jahanui Maisuria, 17, of Middlesex, N.J., was traveling in the right lane of two lanes, as motorist Nils A. Ostrom, 52, of Lake Hopacong, N.J., was driving a 1997 Toyota Rav-4 in the left lane.

The Toyota moved from the left lane into the right lane and the Honda went out of control, leaving the roadway, state police said.

Â The Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps transported Maisuria to Danbury Hospital on a complaint of back pain, state police said.

State police said Ostrom made an unsafe lane change.

Evading Cadillac

State police report a case of evading responsibility following a motor vehicle accident about 11:30 pm August 26 on the Exit 11 ramp of Interstate-84.

Â State police said a 2000 Audi A-6 driven by Russell D. Allen, 46, of Mahopac, N.Y., was struck from behind by a Cadillac, whose unknown driver left the scene of the accident.

Bus Vs SUV

State police report a collision between a fully loaded commercial bus and a sport-utility vehicle about 8 am August 25 on westbound Interstate-84, east of Exit 9.

State police said motorist Elizabeth G. McCormick, 32, of Southbury, who was driving a 1996 Isuzu Rodeo, slowed for traffic and was struck from behind by a bus driven by Marie Ostiguy, 56, of New Braintree, Mass. There were no injuries in the collision, state police said.

State police said Ostiguy was following too closely.

Assault Charge

Police report they charged a local man with second-degree assault on the evening of August 29 following an incident at a South Main Street business.

Police said they charged Gerald W. Curtis, 54, of 37 Algonquin Trail, Sandy Hook, about 5:30 pm after he allegedly assaulted a man during an argument. Police said the victim was transported to Danbury Hospital by the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps to be treated for injuries.

Police said they released Curtis on a $250 bond for a September 12 appearance in Danbury Superior Court to answer the charge.

Key Rock Crash

Police said motorist Alyssa Vonoy, 18, of 19 Saddle Ridge Road was driving a 1989 Eagle Summit southbound on Key Rock Road about 11:45 pm August 23 when she failed to negotiate a curve to the left and went off the right side of the road, striking several large rocks, damaging the carâs undercarriage.

Vonoy was not injured, police said. Police verbally warned her for making an improper turn.

Rear-Ender

Â Police report motorist Mark T. Poeltl, 41, of 16 Ridge Road, who was driving a 1996 Ford Ranger pickup truck on Key Rock Road, was stopped at a stop sign at that roadâs intersection with Route 302 about 6 pm August 25 when the Ford was struck from behind by a 2000 Chevrolet van driven by Nathan G. Noiseux, 23, of Torrington.

Police said Poeltl received a minor neck injury. Police said both drivers refused medical attention.

Police issued Noiseux a written warning for following too closely.

Three-Vehicle Accident

Police said a three-vehicle accident occurred about 9:30 pm August 23 on Route 34, about 1,000 feet east of Sherman Street.

The collision involved motorist Christopher W. Benson, 17, of 6 Maple Drive, who was driving a 1990 Toyota Corolla; motorist Anthony M. Ferraro, 18, of 9 Grays Plain Road, who was driving a 1978 Lincoln Continental; and tractor-trailer truck driver William R. Costen, Sr, 56, of Old Saybrook.

There were no injuries, police said.

Police said they issued Benson an infraction on a charge of failure to stay to the right on a curve. The accident remains under investigation.

Comments

Comments are open. Be civil.

0 comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

‘Timeless Newtown’ Series Updated With ‘Ageism Unmasked’ Book Talks

Longest Day Fundraiser Continues Raising Funds For Alzheimer’s Research

Borough Continued Traffic Safety Discussion, New Cultural District

‘The Isle of Skoo’ Premieres New Assembly Show

PD Open House Planned

Thank you for pointing out the trail access provisions included in the BOS motion—it’s an important clarification that deserves more attention in this conversation. If the development is, in fact, required to provide permanent free public access and commit to ongoing maintenance of this section of the Rochambeau Trail, that is a remarkably beneficial outcome for the town. oIt’s not every day that a private project shoulders the long-term burden of preserving and caring for a public historical corridor at no taxpayer cost—especially one that previously had no formal access, upkeep, or visibility. Let’s be honest: the idea that the only way to protect history is by preventing any development nearby is a rigid and unworkable standard. What’s being proposed here appears to strike a rare balance—historic preservation, public access, and smart development all rolled into one. That’s not a loss its a win. So rather than allowing a handful of voices to derail progress under the banner of “historic purity,” maybe it’s time to acknowledge the reality: this trail is better off with structured stewardship and visibility than remaining an overgrown ghost on old maps. Let’s move forward. Bring in the easement, bring in the public access—and yes, bring in the bulldozers!!! Progress and preservation can coexist. Let’s not let the NIMBY use fear or nostalgia keep us stuck in the past.

Discusses Rochambeau Trail And 6 Commerce Road

I've heard that several people are under the impression that the public might be banned from the Rochambeau Trail. Points 2 and 3 from the BOS motion (included in full below) make it clear that public access to the trail is part of the requirements for the developer. From what I understand, it requires free public access to the trail in perpetuity. Technically, this could be argued to be a "payment-in-kind," that attempts to balance public good with overall town growth. We can argue about weather that balance is acceptable and how the trail may be affected, but with the understanding that the trail is expected to be maintained as a publicly accessible trail regardless. July 15, 2024 Board of Selectmen approved motion: Discontinuance of Reservoir Road: Selectman Cruson moved the resolution: Resolved, that the Newtown Board of Selectmen, in accordance with Section 2-115(d)(8) of the Town Charter and Conn. Gen. Stat. §13a-49, and subject to the conditions set forth below, hereby discontinues an unimproved portion of Reservoir Road described as “Portion of Reservoir Road to be Discontinued “on that certain survey map which will be recorded on the Newtown Land Records titled “Map Showing Portion of Reservoir Road to be Discontinued” dated August, 2023 and revised September 15, 2023, and certified substantially correct by Gregory Szyszowski of SLR (the “Survey Map”), said discontinuance contingent and effective only upon the completion of the following: 1. The approval of an application for the development of land in the manner described in a letter from Attorney Thomas W. Beecher to First Selectman A. Jeffrey Capeci and Members of the Board of Selectmen dated May 30, 2024, pursuant to the “Residential Open Space Development” regulations of the Borough of Newtown by the Borough of Newtown Zoning Commission, and construction of that approval project within the timeframes required for special exception approval; 2. The inclusion of the discontinued portion of the road as part of the final Declaration of Conservation Restriction; 3. The conveyance of a mutually agreeable public easement to the Town of Newtown for pedestrian, bicycling, equestrian, and all other passive recreational uses (to exclude the use of motorized vehicles except as may be necessary by the Town or its designee to effectuate the purpose of the easement), and for municipal utility purposes; Be it further resolved, that Castle Hill Real Estate Holdings, LLC., its successors and assigns, shall not use any portion of the discontinued road as a vehicular road or access way to and from any developed portions of the property. Be it further finally resolved, that should any of the foregoing contingencies not occur, then the discontinuance contemplated herein shall not become effective and this resolution will become null and void. From: https://www.newtown-ct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif12216/f/minutes/bos_7-15-24_min-_att_final.pdf

Discusses Rochambeau Trail And 6 Commerce Road

Is this paper road (roads that only exist on paper map but not in reality) even owned by the Town? Many roads that predate the Town's road standards are privately owned and were never accepted by the Town, such as many of the nonconforming roads around the lake communities where the property owners own right to the center line. That is something we had to deal with when working on the Roads Ordinance a few years back. We also had to deal with a private road to run the utilities to the new SHS.

Discusses Rochambeau Trail And 6 Commerce Road

For anyone who wants to know, I cant post a link here, but Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority has an entire website. Look up "HRRA whats in whats out"

I Get It!

It’s important to clarify that while public process matters, so does the right of a property owner to reasonably develop land they legally own—especially when they follow the rules and engage with the town in good faith. The Board of Selectmen (BOS), whether one agrees with their decision or not, did not “give away” anything. The land in question was part of a road that had been unused and undeveloped for generations. There was no public access, no signage, and no infrastructure—just an overgrown path most residents never knew existed. Mr. Ackert calls the discontinuance “illegal,” but state law grants municipalities the authority to discontinue roads, subject to procedural requirements. The fact that this matter is in litigation shows that questions of law are being properly addressed in court—not in letters to the editor. If the court finds procedural flaws, they’ll be corrected. That’s how the legal system works. Real solutions are found through public process and the courts, not through social media outrage. What’s missing from this conversation is a recognition that towns need to balance many interests: history, environment, public access, private property rights, and economic development. And while the newly championed Revolutionary War heritage is important, there are also pressing modern realities: towns need housing, economic vitality, and responsible development. These things don’t happen in a vacuum—they require compromise, planning, and often, yes, change. If residents truly wish to preserve this trail as public space, the appropriate path is through purchase, conservation easement, or formal designation—not by expecting private landowners to bear the burden of public sentiment. If the writer believes so strongly in its value, perhaps they might consider investing in its preservation themselves. We can honor our history without freezing our town in time. Development and preservation aren’t mutually exclusive—but vilifying one side of the conversation only deepens division. Let’s focus on solutions that balance respect for the past with the rights and needs of those who live here now.

Discusses Rochambeau Trail And 6 Commerce Road

<< Jul 2025 >>
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
29	30	1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30	31	1	2

Log In

Tunnel Road DWI

Leave a Reply Cancel reply