Crash Closes Route 34

Police report motorist Victor Marella, Jr, 37, of Ansonia was driving a 1997 Isuzu Rodeo sport-utility vehicle westbound on Route 34, just west of Route 34’s easterly intersection with Chestnut Hill Road about 7:40 am September 2, when he failed to negotiate a curve in the road, went off the right side of the road and struck a utility pole, causing the pole to fall across Route 34. The fallen pole resulted in lengthy traffic detours and several electrical outages in the area. The Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps transported Marella to Danbury Hospital to be treated for head, neck and shoulder pain, police said. Police issued Marella an infraction ticket on charges of making a restricted turn and operating an unregistered motor vehicle.                                                                                                                —Bee Photo, R. Scudder Smith