Tractor-Trailer Damages Royer Cemetery Near Williamsburg

A closed bridge and a bad decision by a truck driver led to thousands of dollars in damage to Royer Cemetery near Williamsburg on the morning of Wednesday, July 12.

According to Jeff Gunnett, who, along with his family and other volunteers takes care of the cemetery, the driver of the tractor trailer reportedly owned by HMD Trucking of Chicago Ridge IL, entered Royer Mountain Road, from the Hollidaysburg side and either didn't see or ignored the warning signs that Royer Bridge was closed for repairs.

When the driver got to the bridge and realized he could not drive straight through to Route 866, he backed up and then turned into the cemetery, and striking and running over the sign at the entrance. The driver then dove down the narrow road through the cemetery, failing to negotiate the curves causing the rig to run over four headstones and knocking them off their bases.

Gunnett said neighbors of the cemetery witnessed the incident and confronted the truck driver who he said gave a fake name and drove off. Witnesses were able to take photographs of the truck with the company name.

Gunnett said four headstones were damaged and all families have been contacted and notified of the incident. He said the cemetery association, which is a non-profit organization, has been in contact with the trucking company about replacing and repairing the damage.

"We have engaged the services of an attorney, but the trucking company has been receptive to our correspondence so far," Gunnett said. "We are in the process of getting estimates of the damage."

State Police in Hollidaysburg are investigating, but could not provide any details.

Gunnett said he is grateful that neighbors of the cemetery are looking out for it and got involved when they saw the truck in the cemetery.

"It was because of the diligent neighbors there that care about the cemetery that we were able to identify the truck," Gunnett said. "It makes you feel proud of the community that people look out for each other. They are wonderful."