Sobriety Checkpoint Nets Two DUI Arrests, Assorted Violations

By ANDY GOROSKO

Published: Jul 01, 2005 12:00 am

While at an eight-hour-long sobriety checkpoint held on Hawleyville Road on the night of Friday June 24, and early morning hours of Saturday June 25, police pressed multiple charges against passing motorists, including two arrests for drunken driving, according to police Sergeant Christopher Vanghele.

Nine police officers and one supervisor methodically stopped the approximately 700 vehicles that drove past the checkpoint near Hawleyville Roadâs intersection with Covered Bridge Road and interviewed motorists to learn whether they had used alcohol or drugs before driving.

Besides two drunken driving arrests, police lodged one charge of driving while under suspension and one charge of interfering with police.

Also, nine infractions were issued, including various vehicle registration and license violations.

Police issued 19 warnings, including three for failure to wear seatbelts, Sgt Vanghele said.

At about 2:11 am on June 25, police stopped motorist Andrew McQueen, 23, of Brookfield at the checkpoint. After noticing the odor of alcohol in the vehicle he was driving, McQueen was given field sobriety tests, which he failed, according to police.

Police charged McQueen with driving under the influence. He was later released on $60 bail for a July 19 appearance in Danbury Superior Court.

At 2:20 am on June 25, police stopped motorist Alexander Fragoso, 41, of Wolcott at the checkpoint. Police said they determined that Fragoso had been drinking alcohol before driving. Police charged Fragoso with driving under the influence. Fragoso was later released for a July 12 court appearance.

Earlier at the checkpoint, at 8:30 pm on June 24, motorist Ryan Miller, 25, of Bethel approached the checkpoint, but then made a U-turn and drove away, resulting in police following Miller onto eastbound Interstate 84, where police stopped him to investigate.

Police charged Miller with making a restricted turn, driving while under suspension, driving without automotive insurance, misuse of marker plates, and driving an unregistered vehicle.

Police said that while they were taking Miller into custody, a passenger in the vehicle, Jessica Marron, 17, of Bethel, got out of the vehicle, shouted, and interfered with Millerâs arrest.

Police said they then arrested Marron on charges of interfering with police and with failure to report an address change to the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

Both Miller and Marron were later released for July 12 court appearances.

Police plan to conduct two more sobriety checkpoints this summer.

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Cindi Broughton

Congratulations on your nomination. In your announcement, you mentioned that Newtown faces real pressures, including “traffic patterns that make everyday life more stressful.” One growing concern for many residents and business owners is the repeated traffic disruption on Main Street caused by large-scale protests and rallies at the flagpole — held without a unified permitting process. Given that Main Street is a state road with a history of serious traffic and pedestrian safety issues, how would you, as First Selectman, approach the impact of these gatherings on traffic flow, public safety, and local businesses? I ask this with sincere interest in understanding how your commitment to “thoughtful planning” and “unity of action” would apply to this very real and recurring issue.

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I appreciate Ryan’s thoughtful and grounded perspective on the need for a consistent, transparent, and lawful permitting process for large public events in Newtown. His approach reflects common sense within the framework of the law, balancing public safety, free expression, and fiscal responsibility—exactly what we should expect from our elected officials. In contrast, I was struck by Bruce Walczak’s comment suggesting that informal and "extensive discussion" are the preferred solutions to complex public issues. While there is certainly value in dialogue, the idea that decision-making should replace the thoughtful legislative process is troubling—especially coming from someone running for First Selectman.

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I am grateful to The Democratic Town committee. I can vouch for the careful consideration they took in selecting our candidates. I appreciate their confidence in my managing skills to address the many issue facing Newtown. Ill be conducting listening tours over the next few months to gain a deeper understanding of my Newtown neighbors concerns and will be ready to address then day one.

There has been a rash of dog attacks, at least three that I know about on the sidewalks in town. Owners of pets need to be more attentive and respectful of their neighbors. Aggressive dogs need to be watched carefully to protect all. This is a serious issue and should be addresses not swept under a rug.

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I attended the meeting, and the results were reached after extensive discussion. Thats why its important to attend these high profile meeting, you see the facts yourself, As Alex, in the following letter, said the solution is not always more rules and legislation. Speaking to each other often solves issue a lot quicker with more flexibility.

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Sobriety Checkpoint Nets Two DUI Arrests, Assorted Violations

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