Winter Roads Factor Into Series Of Newtown Crashes And Traffic Incidents, Police Say

NEWTOWN, CT — Newtown Police charged a New York man following reports of a vehicle being operated erratically on South Main Street on the afternoon of Jan. 21, according to a report from the department.

Police said officers received multiple reports at about 3:33 p.m. of a vehicle traveling northbound at a high rate of speed and passing other vehicles illegally. Officers located the vehicle — a 2014 Nissan Maxima — and conducted a traffic stop on South Main Street near Apple Blossom Lane without incident.

The operator, Jacob Thomas Volpe, 29, of Mohegan Lake, NY, was charged with reckless driving, failure to comply with passing-on-the-right rules, and first-degree reckless endangerment, police said. Volpe was processed and released on a $25,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on Feb. 4.

No injuries were reported, and no ambulance transport was required, according to police records

Newtown Police documented multiple traffic-related incidents over several days in mid-January, many involving snow- and ice-covered roads, according to department accident summaries and incident reports.

Several single-vehicle crashes were reported Jan. 16 and Jan. 17 as drivers lost control on slick roadways. On Obtuse Road near Pond Brook Road, a vehicle slid while negotiating a downhill curve and came to rest disabled on a dirt embankment. The vehicle was later freed by a towing service but was able to leave under its own power. Police said the crash was unavoidable due to icy conditions, and no enforcement action was taken.

On Walnut Tree Hill Road near Shady Rest Boulevard, a northbound vehicle slid off the roadway and struck support wires for a utility pole. The vehicle sustained disabling front-end damage and was towed from the scene. Police issued a summons related to operating violations following the investigation.

Another winter-related crash occurred on Plumtrees Road near Wildcat Road, where a pickup truck equipped with a snow plow struck a parked delivery van while passing through the intersection. Damage was described as minor, and no injuries were reported. No enforcement action was taken.

Police also responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Sugarloaf Road and Toddy Hill Road on Jan. 9. Investigators said one vehicle pulled forward from a stop sign as another vehicle was turning, resulting in damage to both vehicles. No injuries were reported, and a verbal warning was issued for failure to grant the right of way.

Additional crashes were reported Jan. 19 on Church Hill Road at Main Street and on Hawleyville Road near the Interstate 84 eastbound on-ramp. In the Church Hill Road incident, a vehicle with a plow attachment struck the rear of a stopped vehicle at a stop sign. Both vehicles were operable, and a verbal warning was issued for following too closely.

The Hawleyville Road crash involved two vehicles colliding as one attempted a left turn toward the highway on-ramp. Both drivers were evaluated by emergency responders and transported to Danbury Hospital for further evaluation. One vehicle was towed due to disabling damage. Police issued charges related to improper turning and operating without a license.

Earlier in the reporting period, police documented multiple additional single-vehicle crashes across town, including incidents on Hawleyville Road, Jordan Hill Road, Berkshire Road, Schoolhouse Hill Road and Currituck Road. In those cases, vehicles slid off roadways, struck guardrails, signs or mailboxes, or collided with stopped vehicles amid snowy conditions. Police said most drivers reported no injuries, and enforcement decisions varied based on road conditions and circumstances.

Across the reported incidents, police said weather conditions played a significant role, with many crashes attributed to reduced traction on untreated or snow-covered roadways.