Police Probe Into Hit-and-Run Collision Continues

By Andrew Gorosko

Police this week were continuing their investigation into a hit-and-run accident on the evening of October 17, in which an 8-year-old boy who was crossing Queen Street was struck by a vehicle which then drove off.

The accident occurred about 6:33 pm on Queen Street, near its intersection with Borough Lane.

Police have not disclosed the boy’s identity, other than to say that he is a Newtown resident.

According to a police report, “The vehicle which is believed to be a Volkswagen, possibly blue in color, was southbound on Queen Street. After the vehicle struck the pedestrian, it continued southbound without stopping to check on the pedestrian or to report the accident.” The boy was not in a crosswalk when the collision occurred, police said.

The victim was visiting a friend and did not live on Queen Street, police said.

Following the accident, Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps members responded to the scene and then transported the boy to Danbury Hospital for treatment of injuries, including damage to his right leg, left ankle and calf, plus facial abrasions and contusions, police said.

Newtown Hook & Ladder firefighters also responded to the accident scene.

The injuries received by the boy were not life-threatening, police Captain Joe Rios said this week. Information on the boy’s medical condition was not available.

“We’re looking at all possibilities,” Capt Rios said of the police investigation. Police have received some calls from the public with information about the incident, he said.

“We’re trying to locate the vehicle,” which struck the boy and then drove away, he said.

In such cases, state law requires that motorists stop the vehicle and provide aid to a person injured by a collision, he said.

Police ask anyone who has information that would help them in their investigation of the hit-and-run collision to contact them at 426-5841 or 270-8888.

Traffic safety on Queen Street has been the subject of many Police Commission meetings during the past several years, during which Queen Street residents have urged that the town take steps to better control traffic on that mile-long road that links Church Hill Road to Mile Hill Road.