A learner driver ended up crashing into eight headstones at a cemetery, with police admitting she probably should never have got her permit.
Officers responded to a crash at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose, Massachusetts, at around 2.30pm on Saturday 16 April.
The driver was a 53-year-old woman who had recently got her learner’s permit, having been joined by a relative helping her practice.
Thankfully, both the driver and her companion were uninjured, but the grave yard itself wasn’t so lucky, as the vehicle had smashed into not one but eight headstones.
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Police said all eight had been knocked over, and that several ‘sustained the damage’, but that they were ‘successfully uprighted’ by staff from the Department of Public Works.
A photo released by police also shows that the car - an 'older model Range Rover' - had some damage to its front after colliding with the graves.
Melrose Police Department said in a statement: “On Saturday, April 16, at approximately 2:30 p.m., Melrose Police were dispatched to Wyoming Cemetery, 205 Sylvan St., for a report of a motor vehicle crash.
“Upon arrival, police learned that the vehicle – an older model Range Rover – crashed into headstones at the cemetery. The driver, a 53-year-old Melrose woman with her learner’s permit, was practicing driving at the time of the crash, accompanied by a relative who is a licensed operator.
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“The two occupants of the vehicle were uninjured.”
The force added: “A preliminary investigation indicates that the woman lost control of the vehicle, causing it to strike the headstones.
“The crash remains under investigation by the Melrose Police Department.”
Melrose Police Lieutenant David Mackey explained how the woman had mistakenly stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brakes, sending her flying into the row of headstones.
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According to the Boston Globe, Mackey said: “It was an older woman who just never learned to drive, apparently just recently got her permit, and probably shouldn’t have.
“What can you do? Accidents happen.”
While the graves were put back in place, Mackey said the several that were damaged in the incident may be costly to repair.
He added: “No crime involved, just an unfortunate accident with a considerable amount of damage.”
Well, this isn't the only disastrous incident involving a learner driver.
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Earlier this year, a learner was arrested twice and branded 'an idiot' after being caught driving a Mercedes without supervision and a full driver's licence.
The hopeful driver was caught twice driving unsupervised and illegally, despite having being caught and cautioned once before.
A Facebook post from Devon and Cornwall’s dedicated ‘No Excuse’ team said: "Driver of the CLK only holds a provisional licence. We stopped him this morning in Bugle near St Austell. He was not complying with the conditions of his licence. The vehicle was seized and he was reported for the offence.
"Shortly after we saw the vehicle being driven on the A30 near Summercourt. We stopped it again and found the provisional licence holder unsupervised again. Vehicle seized for a second time and he will now be going to court for two offences.”
Topics: US News
Jess Hardiman