Trail Of Evidence Leads From Collision

To Underage Alcohol Party

By Andrew Gorosko

A trail of leaked physical evidence produced by a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Schoolhouse Hill Road and Hanover Road late on the night of Saturday, September 18, led police to the scene of a party at a Pond Brook Road home early on the morning of Sunday, September 19, where they encountered a group of underage youths illegally drinking alcohol, according to police reports.

Police said that a 2001 Audi sedan driven by Neil Swanson, 54, of Norwalk was waiting at a stop sign on southbound Hanover Road, at its intersection with Schoolhouse Hill Road, at about 11:35 pm on September 18, when a southbound 2003 Ford Taurus sedan driven by a 16-year-old boy struck the rear end of the Audi.

The boy then drove away from the accident scene without speaking to Swanson, police said. Because the boy is under age 18, he is considered a “youthful offender” and his identity is shielded from disclosure by state law.

Police officers investigating the incident at the accident scene detected an automotive fluid trail created by fluids leaking from the damaged Ford which the boy was driving and then followed that fluid trail for approximately five miles until they located the Ford parked in the driveway of a home at 10 Pond Brook Road, police said.

After investigating, police arrested the boy on charges including evading responsibility, driving under the influence, and following too closely. The boy, who was released on $50 bail, is scheduled to appear in Danbury Youthful Offender Court on October 4 to answer the charges. Such court proceedings are conducted in closed session.

Police said that Elizabeth Hilts, 54, of Norwalk, who was a passenger in the Audi, was injured in the accident and was transported to Danbury Hospital by ambulance volunteers. Hook & Ladder firefighters responded to the accident scene.

Police said that while at 10 Pond Brook Road on September 19, they encountered a party involving underage people who were drinking alcohol. Police then charged seven underage people with alcohol violations.

Nicole Finkenstadt, 19, of that address, was issued infractions for illegal possession of alcohol by a minor and also for permitting minors to possess alcohol, police said.

Also, police issued infractions for illegal possession of alcohol by a minor to Matthew Aponte, 18, of 54 Marlin Road; Gregory Demenna, 19, of 3 Farmery Lane; and Evan Andrew Barreto, 18, of 12 Hundred Acres Road.

Additionally, police charged three people under age 18 with illegal possession of alcohol by a minor.

The people who received the infractions may either pay fines for the offenses or appeal the charges in Danbury Superior Court.