Date: Fri 03-Nov-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

hit-run-officer-Church-Hill-Rd

Full Text:

Hit And Run Driver Strikes Officer And Two Cars On Church Hill Rd

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

A town auxiliary police officer on foot on Church Hill Road on the night of

October 28 was struck by a Southbury motorist who was fleeing an auto accident

that had just occurred, police report.

Then, after hitting Auxiliary Officer Louis Geanuracos, 44, with the Chevrolet

automobile which he was driving, the fleeing motorist, Stephen F. Kriz, 30, of

111 Berkshire Road, Southbury, then became involved in yet another accident

near the Housatonic Railroad overpass on Church Hill Road, according to

police.

Police said that just after 6:40 pm, they were called to Church Hill Road to

the area of St Rose of Lima Church where Geanuracos had been directing traffic

after a Mass at the Catholic church. Police had received a report that

Geanuracos had been hit by a Chevrolet which then fled the scene.

Police found Geanuracos lying on the eastbound shoulder of Church Hill Road

with a contusion on the back of his head, plus cuts and bruises.

Police said Geanuracos told them he had walked over to aid a woman whose 1988

Honda Accord had just been hit from behind by the Chevrolet driven by Kriz

just to the west of the entrance of the church parking lot. The Honda was

driven by Sandra M. Kubica, 32, of Pittsfield, Mass. Ms Kubica was transported

by the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps to Danbury Hospital where she was

treated and released.

Police said that as Geanuracos was approaching the accident, the Chevrolet

driven by Kriz, suddenly drove forward at Geanuracos and struck him, throwing

him up into the air over the fleeing Chevrolet.

Geanuracos was transported to Danbury Hospital where he was treated for

injuries and released.

Kriz drove away from the scene of the second accident where he had hit

Geanuracos, police said. Then, while fleeing eastbound down Church Hill Road,

Kriz struck one vehicle at the railroad overpass in what was to become a

four-vehicle crash, police said.

Vehicles involved in that crash included a 1984 Oldsmobile driven by George S.

Radovan, 50, of Chimney Swift Drive, Sandy Hook. Mr Radovan wasn't injured,

police said.

Also in the multi-car accident was a 1992 Ford Tempo driven by Antoinette A.

Davis, 84, of Nunnawauk Meadows. The Newtown Hook and Ladder rescue squad

extricated her from the Ford. She was admitted to Danbury Hospital. A hospital

spokeswoman said Ms Davis was in good condition Wednesday.

Also in the crash was a 1994 Chevrolet Astrovan driven by Gaetana J. Moscolo,

32, of Black Bridge Road, Sandy Hook. She wasn't injured.

After the multiple collision, police closed Church Hill Road to traffic for

about one hour.

Acting on a tip, police later located Kriz and the Chevrolet at a residence on

Pine Street in Sandy Hook. Police impounded the car. Police held Kriz on a

$50,000 bond for an October 30 arraignment in Danbury Superior Court. He was

charged with first-degree assault in connection with striking Geanuracos.

Police also charged Kriz with reckless driving, evading responsibility and

following too closely in connection with the first accident.

In connection with the multiple-car crash near the railroad overpass, police

charged Kriz with reckless driving and failure to obey an officer's signal.

After being held over the weekend on $50,000 bond, Kriz was arraigned on the

charges October 30 in Danbury Superior Court.