Unsafe Backing

Newtown Police report Michael Damato, 45, of Newtown, operating a 2020 Ford F350, was traveling northbound on Stone Bridge Trail at 8:36 am September 26. A non-contact vehicle was traveling southbound on Stone Bridge Trail. Stone Bridge Trail is a one lane, non-paved road. Both vehicles came to a stop to avoid a collision. Damato attempted to back up and struck a large tree on the side of the road.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle was not towed.

Damato was issued a verbal warning for unsafe backing.

Motorhome Hit Railroad Bridge

Newtown Police report Kenneth Strickland, 63, of Apex, N.C., operating a 2024 Tiffin Motorhomes Phaeton, was traveling north on Currituck Road, towing a Jeep, at 8:43 pm October 1. Strickland attempted to drive under the railroad bridge, but the bridge is ten foot six inches and the vehicle, with equipment on the roof, was reported at more than 14 feet tall. The top of the vehicle struck the bottom of the bridge, causing the removal of all the equipment, which fell and damaged the Jeep.

No injuries were reported. Both vehicles were towed.

Strickland was issued a verbal warning for exceeding posted clearance.

Blinded By Lights

Newtown Police report Nicholas Rivera, 19, of Brookfield, operating a 1998 Lexus ES, was traveling north on Route 34 at 7:31 pm October 2. Rivera told police he was blinded by oncoming traffic, causing him to swerve to the right, leaving the roadway and striking a small ditch and some vegetation.

No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed.

Rivera was issued a warning for failure to maintain a lane.

Struck Embankment, Driver Injured

Newtown Police report Ramon Perez, 37, of Waterbury, operating a 2004 Chevrolet Colorado, was traveling eastbound on Botsford Hill Road at 9:19 pm October 3. After traveling under the railroad bridge, the vehicle continued straight through the left hand curve, striking the embankment and causing major damage to the vehicle.

Both Perez and a passenger were transported to Danbury Hospital with suspected serious injuries. The vehicle was towed.

Perez was charged with improper use of a motor vehicle registration, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, illegal operation of a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, failure to use a seatbelt, and failure to drive in the proper lane.

Both Operators Receive Warnings

Newtown Police report Robert Mihok, 16, of Newtown, operating a 2011 Subaru Forester, was traveling southbound on Main Street at 7:41 am October 8. Hunter Merrill, 32, of Danbury, operating a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, was stopped for traffic ahead in the southbound lane. Mihok rear-ended Merrill’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Mihok was issued a written warning for failure to drive a reasonable distance apart. Merrill was issued a verbal warning for operating an unregistered motor vehicle.

Telehandler Hits Car

Newtown Police report Porto De Oliveira, 41, of Danbury, operating a 2006 Angus-Palmer 1044-C-54 telehandler, was parked in a parking lot on Covered Bridge Road at 3:22 pm October 8. De Oliveira backed up and struck a 2021 Buick Envision owned by Claudia Seiber of Newtown, which was parked unoccupied behind him.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

No enforcement action was taken since the incident occurred on private property.

Collision In Intersection

Newtown Police report Sheila Pollen, 60, of Danbury, operating a 2007 Jeep Patriot, was stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of School House Hill Road and Walnut Tree Hill Road at 5:21 pm October 8. Jon Corey, 53, of Green Cove Springs, Fla., was traveling southbound on Walnut Tree Hill near the same intersection. Pollen failed to grant right of way and attempted to turn left onto Walnut Tree Hill, striking Corey’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Corey’s vehicle was towed.

Pollen was issued an infraction for failure to grant right of way at an intersection.

Passing On The Right

Newtown Police report Cassandra Pinkerous, 33, of Sandy Hook, was traveling southbound on Main Street at 7:26 pm October 9. She was traveling behind a 2015 Chrysler 200 S operated by Ashley Kloss, 31, of Northfield. Near the intersection of West Street, Kloss slowed for traffic waiting to turn left. Pinkerous attempted to pass Kloss on the right as Kloss pulled to the right to pass the vehicle ahead. Pinkerous struck Kloss’s vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Neither vehicle was towed.

Pinkerous received a verbal warning for passing on the right.

DUI Charge

Newtown Police report that on October 12, Brian Joseph Engelke, 44, of Sandy Hook, turned himself in to Newtown Police Department on an active arrest warrant. He was taken into custody and charged with failure to wear a safety belt, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and failure to drive in the proper lane.

Engelke was processed and released on a non-surety bond with a court date of October 23 in Danbury Superior Court.

Threatening Charge

Newtown Police report that at approximately 5 pm October 12, officers were dispatched to a home on Riverside road for a reported disturbance involving threats and a firearm. The caller, a resident of the duplex, said that George Lockwood, 62, of Newtown, was outside yelling threats while holding a metal pipe, and was possibly in possession of a shotgun. The previous night, the caller reported the same individual had threatened her with a firearm.

Upon arrival, officers observed Lockwood inside his apartment and issued verbal commands. Lockwood initially was complying, but then reached towards his waistband, revealing what appeared to be a handgun.

Officers were able to safely detain Lockwood and recovered a Glock 17 replica 4.5mm BB gun from his waistband. A Winchester Model 1200 12-gauge shotgun was later located inside the residence.

Lockwood was arrested and charged with failure to properly store a firearm, second-degree breach of peace, and first-degree threatening while armed or displaying a firearm.

Lockwood was released on a $25,000 bond with a court date of October 14 in Danbury Superior Court.