DWI Arrest

Newtown police arrested Mitchell Wolanski, 59, of New Fairfield, on Friday, August 13, for DWI, after receiving a call about an evading motor vehicle accident that occurred on I-84

Police stopped Wolanski after observing his vehicle in Newtown once it had left the highway. Upon making contact with Wolanski, Newtown police administered field sobriety tests to him.

Based on their investigation, Wolanski was arrested for illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence or alcohol and/or drugs.

Connecticut State Police were contacted to investigate the evading accident that occurred on I-84.

Wolanksi was released from custody after posting $200 bond, and given an August 26 date at Danbury Superior Court.

According to the online Connecticut Department of Justice database, the cases — one under Newtown jurisdiction and one under state jurisdiction — have been continued to September 28.

Failure To Yield At Driveway

Newtown police report Richard E. Flood, 33, of Stafford Springs, was operating a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado southbound on Washington Avenue, around 7:40 am, Wednesday, August 18.

Aida Dervisevic, 52, of Sandy Hook, operating a 2020 Mercedes-Benz C400 4matic, was exiting the driveway of 8 Washington Avenue, and the front end of that vehicle struck the Colorado.

Dervisevic told police she did not see the Colorado.

There were no injuries.

Dervisevic was given a verbal warning for failure to yield at a private driveway.

Two Charges

Newtown police report a 2019 Dodge Ram being operated by Pablo O. Alcantara-Garcia, 39, of Shelton, was traveling northbound on South Main Street near the intersection of Elm Drive around 2:35 pm, Monday, August 23.

A 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca being operated by Winston Gordon, 53, of Bridgeport, was also traveling northbound on South Main Street, directly behind the Dodge. Gordon failed to drive a reasonable distance apart, and the front end of the Subaru struck the rear end of the Dodge.

Gordon was issued a misdemeanor summons for operating a motor vehicle under suspension, for lack of insurance, and for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart. He was given a September 8 appearance at Danbury Superior Court.

Hydrant Hit

Newtown police report Carlos H. Rosas, 36, of Bridgeport, was operating a 2003 Ford F-150 northbound on South Main Street, near the intersection with Greenbriar Lane, around 1:03 am, Tuesday, August 24.

The truck crossed over the southbound lane and drove off the roadway, striking and removing a fire hydrant and then rolling on to its right side and striking a tree.

Botsford Fire Rescue and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps also responded to the scene.

Rosas told police that while negotiating the curve, he lost control of the vehicle.

Rosas further stated he was wearing his seat belt at the time but did require medical assistance. He was transported to a hospital for examination.

No enforcement action was available.

Following Too Closely

Newtown police report a 2011 Hyundai Sonata SE Limited being operated by Thomas B. Jensen, 23, of Southbury, was traveling southbound on South Main Street, north of its intersection with Hawley Road, around 4:28 pm, Tuesday, August 24.

The Hyundai then struck the rear of a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder being operated by Michele A. Coppotelli, 55, of Monroe. Coppotelli had slowed for traffic in front of the Pathfinder, according to the report.

Hook & Ladder Fire Company and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps also responded to the collision.

Coppotelli was checked for injuries, but was not transported to a hospital.

Jensen was issued a ticket for following too closely resulting in an accident.

South Main Near Greenbriar Collision

Newtown police report a 2013 Hyundai Elantra GLS Limited being operated by Gabriel Giusti, 30, of Newtown, was traveling southbound on South Main Street around 5:10 pm, Tuesday, August 24. The Hyundai stopped near South Main’s intersection with Greenbriar Lane due to traffic.

A 2012 Mini Cooper being operated by Eric Vignola, 56, of Newtown, was also traveling south on South Main Street at the time, behind the Hyundai.

The Mini was unable to stop before the front of that vehicle struck the rear of the Hyundai.

Hook & Ladder and Botsford firefighters also responded to the crash.

No injuries were reported.

The Mini was towed from the scene, and Vignola was issued a verbal warning for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart and causing an accident.

Verbal Warning

Newtown police report a 2011 BMW 328XI being operated by Ryan J. Courtney, 25, of Bridgewater, was traveling northbound on South Main Street, near the intersection with Sugar Street, around 5:55 pm, Tuesday, August 24.

The BMW struck rear of a 2009 Toyota Corolla in front of it, which was slowing to a stop due to traffic.

There were no injuries reported at the scene.

Courtney was given a verbal warning for following too closely resulting in an accident.

Church Hill Road Verbal Warning

Newtown police report Robert McConeghy, 32, of Wakefield, R.I., was operating a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek west on Church Hill Road, passing the driveway exit of the Blue Colony Diner, 66 Church Hill Road, around 10:02 am, Wednesday, August 25.

A 2016 Hyundai Tucson Limited being operated by Daniel S. Greenberg, 71, of Sandy Hook, exited the driveway exit of diner, turning left onto Church Hill Road.

While turning left into the westbound lane of traffic, the Hyundai made contact with rear bumper area of the Subaru.

No injuries were reported to either driver, nor to a passenger in the Subaru. Neither vehicle was towed.

Greenberg told police he believed the Subaru was traveling at a high rate of speed.

Police gave a verbal warning to Greenberg for failure to grant right of way private driveway.

Restricted Turn

Newtown police report that on Wednesday, August 25, at approximately 12:50 pm, Teodoro J. Corona, 50, of Newtown, was operating a 2016 Honda CR-V EX southbound on Poverty Hollow Road.

Corona drove off the road and hit a utility pole near the intersection with Morris Road.

Corona was uninjured, but the utility pole needed to be replaced.

Corona was given a verbal warning for making a restricted turn.

Verbal Warning

Newtown police report a 2016 Toyota RAV-4 LE being operated by Bridget M. Cervero, 36, of Sandy Hook, was traveling eastbound on Church Hill Road around 5:13 pm, Thursday, August 26.

Cervero had stopped to make a left turn onto Wendover Road.

A 2013 Honda Accord EX-L being operated by Cameron A. Whorf, 17, was also traveling east on Church Hill Road, behind the Toyota.

Whorf was unable to stop the Honda before the front of that vehicle struck the rear of the Toyota.

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

The Honda was towed due to damage.

Whorf was given a verbal warning for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart and causing an accident.

DUI Arrest

On Sunday, August 29, while on patrol at approximately 1:20 am, Newtown police officers observed a four door black SUV stopped in the middle of Hawley Road.

After a short investigation, the operator, Brooke M. Raad, 39, of Middlebury, was placed under arrest for DUI.

Raad was transported to the Newtown Police Department for processing.

She was released on a $500 bond and given a September 14 appearance at Danbury Superior Court.