Motorist damages 19 headstones in Northampton’s St. Mary Cemetery

NORTHAMPTON — Nineteen headstones in St. Mary Cemetery were damaged early Saturday morning when a motorist lost control and plowed into the graveyard, police reported.

Officers on patrol at that time in the area of the cemetery on Bridge Road reported that they found a vehicle with heavy front end damage. The driver was a 19-year-old Holyoke man.

Police determined that the driver lost control of his vehicle while traveling west on Bridge Road, left the travel lane and crashed into the cemetery. The cemetery grounds suffered damage in addition to the headstones.

The driver showed signs of impairment, according to police, and was placed under arrest for operating under the influence of alcohol.

He was charged also with having an open container of alcohol, seat belt and speeding violations.

The cemetery is managed by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Northampton. A message left with the cemetery office was not returned on Monday.

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