Police handle crashes into cemetery, jail

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Harrisburg Police arrested a Henderson, Ky., man Wednesday accused of driving while intoxicated into the Harrisburg City Cemetery and knocking three tombstones off their bases.

Police arrested Rodney L. Lawrence, 44, 4 p.m. on charges of DUI and reckless driving. He posted $300 cash bond and was released.

Sgt. Todd Cavender said the crash happened 1:16 p.m. on Darnell Drive within the cemetery at the point where Hazel Street and Ogara Street intersect. Lawrence did not make the right angle turn at the intersection and continued straight.

"He lost control, hit a tombstone, knocked it over and it flew and hit another stone and knocked it into another one," Cavender said.

Cavender said the initial collision was strong enough the stone flew 20 to 25 yards before striking the next stone and creating a domino effect. He said none of the stones crumbled, but cemetery crews will have to set all three back on their foundations.

Lawrence was taken to Harrisburg Medical Center and upon release was taken to jail.

Cavender said there is evidence Lawrence had several substances in his system including THC, methamphetamine and methadone.

At about 7:15 a.m. Thursday police arrested Matt Alecci who was driving in the alley west of the Saline County Law Enforcement and Detention Center, struck the side of the jail and crashed into a telephone pole snapping it at the base.

The crash did not damage the building and lines supported by the pole -- that includes the phone to the jail -- did not snap.

Alecci was charged with DUI. Sgt. Michael Riden said police collected evidence Alecci had been inhaling -- huffing -- a substance in compressed air cannisters.

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DeNeal receives e-mail at bdeneal@yourclearwave.com.</li>

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