Hornet Inside SUV Led To Fiery Crash In Newtown: Police

NEWTOWN, CT — A hornet inside an SUV contributed to a fiery rollover crash in Newtown this week, according to police.

The one-car crash happened around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday on Berkshire Road near High Rock Road, according to an accident report released by the Newtown Police Department.

The driver told police a hornet was in her vehicle as she was traveling eastbound on Berkshire Road. While attempting to get the hornet out of the SUV, the driver used one hand and looked down at the window controls in an effort to open a window and release it, according to the report.

The SUV then veered off the roadway, drove onto a rock and flipped onto its driver’s side before sliding about eight feet and catching fire, police said.

Police said pedestrians helped the driver out of the vehicle before emergency crews arrived. The driver suffered suspected minor injuries and was taken to Danbury Hospital by Newtown EMS, according to the report.

The vehicle was towed from the scene. Police said the driver received a verbal warning for failure to maintain lane.