It was, indeed, an extended van (dark red Ford).

It was raining torrentially.

My recollection of the post-impact path of the Subaru is that it diagonally crossed the intersection (miraculously missing traffic in both directions), jumped a high curb, and slid at least 50 ft. across someone's lawn.  If I have the time, I'll attempt a graphic representation of it.

A township line did, indeed pass through the intersection.  As I stood in the pouring rain with the stunned victim, (I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt and someone else's (Tuminello?) raincoat), a police officer from the Subaru's township-of-arrival arrived.

After surveying the scene, he was forced to tell us that he could not help us, and that he would call the police department of the Subaru's township-of-origin, where the actual accident and impact occurred.  Officer Friendly finally arrived, ticketed me for "following too closely."  I valiantly pled my case ("No brakes...") but when someone is rear-ended, someone else has to be cited.  Since, as Grady pointed out, CT is no-fault, we were free to go.

With a group hullabeffort, we were able to pull the front bumper away from the tires (that being the only damage to the van) and we were on our way.  I gingerly tested the brakes once we got moving, and, once they dried out, they were quite fine.  We even stopped and had them looked at--they were fine.  The poor Subaru lady had to wait in the rain for a tow truck, etc.  When last I saw her, she was waiting in the police car for AAA.

As for ultimate resolution...

The rest of the trip, the van was fine.  Upon return to VA, Jason Dandridge and I drove the van to Richmond (whence we had rented it).  He and his dad took a sledge to the bumper, and got it straightened right out.  We returned the van, and the rental folks never said boo.  I pled my case before the Hullbahoo executive board, and talked them into paying my fine ($88--check the books).  Since the fine was paid on time, I didn't get any points on my license.  I did, later that year, get a threatening letter from the victim's lawyer, claiming that they were considering suing.  I conferred with my dad, and we decided to wait it out.  Never heard anything further.