Police link driver to damage at Snohomish cemetery

SNOHOMISH — Authorities believe a driver who had been drinking is responsible for damage to a Snohomish cemetery last week.

A Snohomish police officer early Thursday morning spotted a white passenger car with significant front-end damage and no front license plate leaving the gated Zion Lutheran cemetery at 2020 Ludwig Road. The car’s front passenger mirror also had been ripped off and the front bumper was barely hanging on.

The car crossed the right shoulder, veered over the center line and rolled through a stop sign before the driver was pulled over.

The driver — a Renton man, 31 — had bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol, according to a police report.

The suspect was turned over to his brother pending charges. He was told to watch his mail for a court date. The brother said the suspect had been to rehab for alcohol addiction in the past.

Damage to the cemetery included a partially destroyed fence and sign post. The car struck a small tree and drove over headstones.

“Some of the headstones were clearly damaged,” according to the police report.

Police found a license plate and mirror in the cemetery. While officers were inspecting the damage, the suspect’s brother reported that the man had acquired another vehicle and was heading to Renton.

The suspect drove by the officers, who again pulled him over.

“He was yelling that he did not recognize our authority as police officers and stated that he had done nothing wrong,” police wrote.

A bottle of vodka was visible next to him on the front seat.

The suspect was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of reckless driving, hit-and-run property damage and unlawful damage to graves, a gross misdemeanor under state law.

Zion Lutheran is described in historical records as “a small cemetery with over 300 burials and some unmarked graves.”

The oldest grave is from 1902.

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.