Bridgeport Man Busted After Probe Of Crash Into Newtown House: PD

NEWTOWN, CT — A 28-year-old Bridgeport man was arrested on a warrant by Newtown police Monday in connection with a May 2021 vehicle crash into a house on West Street that injured the driver and passenger, according to authorities.

Jose J. Cruz, of Dewey Street, turned himself in at Newtown Police Headquarters and was charged with the following:

• Illegal operation of a motor vehicle without minimum insurnce
• Reckless driving
• Failure to keep right at a curve/intersect
• Operate motor vehicle without a license
• Use of drug paraphernalia
• Possession of less than 1/2 oz of cannabis
• Interfering with an officer/resisting
• Breach of peace, 2nd degree
• Assault, 3rd degree
• Reckless endangerment, 1st degree
• Reckless endangerment, 2nd degree

"The arrest warrant stems from an incident that occurred in May of 2021 where the above named individual was suspected to have been involved in an assault," Newtown police said in a statement.

"When the above named individual was stopped by Newtown Police, he fled in his vehicle. When Police came upon said vehicle, it had crashed into a house and both occupants were transported to the hospital," police said.

Firefighters had to use a hydraulic cutter and additional saws to extricate Cruz from the vehicle following the crash, according to authorities.

On Monday, Cruz was released after paying a $15,000 Non-Surety Bond, and he is scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on March 22.