Gravestones remain toppled over at a cemetery at the St. Denis Catholic Church complex in Whitefield this week after a car crash that remains under investigation.
The fallen stones are part of the damage caused by the traffic accident that left the 19-year-old driver with minor injuries, according to police.
Katelyn Jacques, of Whitefield, was alone in the 2006 Subaru Forester when the crash occurred about 12:20 a.m. Tuesday, Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett said.
He said Jacques had been coming from Cooper Road onto Grand Army Road, which is also Route 126, when she lost control of the vehicle.
“It skidded across the road and rolled over into the cemetery,” Brackett said Friday morning.
He said the vehicle damaged the metal cemetery fence and various gravestones. The Subaru was towed from the scene.
Whitefield first responders and Delta Ambulance went to the scene, he said.
“The accident is still under investigation,” he added. “We suspect that alcohol might be involved and charges are likely in the future.”
Deputy Ryan Chubbuck was the responding officer.
St. Denis Church is part of St. Michael Catholic Parish, which has its offices in Augusta.
The Rev. Frank Morin, parish administrator, said via email Friday that he anticipates receiving more information about the damage next week.
In the meantime, he forwarded a report from David Desjardins, property manager for the parish. Part of it says, “Handrail will need straightening or replacement and fence along cemetery will need replacing. Best I can tell at least 12 stones are affected as well as grounds damage.”
Desjardins said it appeared the vehicle hit a handrail, was probably launched into the air and then ended up about 100 feet inside the cemetery. The handrail stood in the middle of wide steps leading to the church entrance.
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