A hit-and-run driver crashed into the fence and seven headstones at Brookfield Township Cemetery.
It looks like Brookfield Township’s insurance carrier will cover the damage to the cemetery fence and seven headstones caused by a hit-and-run driver.
Although township officials would like to catch the driver and have the driver’s insurance company cover the repairs, the Ohio Township Association Risk Management Authority will not wait for the resolution of the criminal investigation, said township Cemetery Sexton Jaime Fredenburg.
The incident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. Feb. 11 when a southbound car left the roadway and crashed into the fence, Brookfield police said. The car backed up and continued southbound, police said.
The car was last seen crossing Route 82, police said. Brookfield and Hubbard police searched for the car to no result, police said.
The car is believed to be a white or gray Honda Civic Type R from 2017-22 The car is believed to have a black front bumper and significant front driver side corner damage, police said.
The cemetery fence scratched a headstone.
The stones are located in the oldest section of the cemetery, all of the Wheeler family. In one case, a thin pyramid-shaped limestone topper was knocked off its base and landed several feet away. The four sections of a large monument for William and Emma Wheeler were severed and toppled. The spikes from the top of the fence posts gouged into a third stone.
Anyone with information on the crash can call the police during weekday business hours at 330-448-6960, leave a word on a tip line at 330-448-4044, or send a Facebook message to Brookfield Township Police Department.
A hit-and-run driver knocked the top of a grave marker several feet from its base.
Fredenburg said he does not believe the township will have to pay a deductible, which typically has been $500.
The insurance adjuster examined the damage Feb. 21.
Fredenburg said he has contacted a fence contractor and a monument contractor to get quotes on repairs.
