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Crash topples several stones at local cemetery
Mt. Pleasant Cemetery not only sits at a curve in the road in southern Monroe Township, it is the reason for the curve in the road.
As County Road 200 North makes its way along the Monroe-Greencastle township line, Mt. Pleasant stands squarely in the way, prompting a sweeping U-shaped curve around the ancient cemetery just east of County Road 75 East.
Unfortunately, an unknown early-morning motorist on Sunday either missed the curve or just refused to take it, instead plowing into the cemetery, knocking over and breaking multiple stones.
Putnam County sheriff’s Deputy Elizabeth Campbell was dispatched to the scene shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday, finding a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix still atop one of the gravestones.
Campbell reported that tire marks suggest the car, registered to Danielle Heller of Coatesville, entered the cemetery sideways, suggesting that the vehicle at least attempted to make the turn to the north.
The deputy added that the vehicle’s final resting position and body damage suggest it made contact with several headstones on the passenger side.
Among the stones damaged was a small marker memorializing a U.S. Navy veteran of the Spanish-American War.
The car ultimately came to rest on top of a headstone, leaving the rear wheels suspended in air. It had sustained significant damage to the passenger side, front and rear, with the airbags also deployed.
An estimated $10,001-$25,000 in damage resulted from the crash.
There were no occupants present upon Campbell’s arrival and the vehicle had been reported stolen.
Campbell said the entire car had frosted over in the freezing temperatures and it appeared the wreck happened several hours earlier.
The crash report in the case indicated that further investigation was required, but no further details were available as of Tuesday afternoon.