Gravestones in Quasqueton Cemetery Destroyed by Vehicle

Numerous headstones and grave markers in the Quasqueton Cemetery were destroyed by a vehicle late Saturday night.

The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office says they received a 911 report of an accident in the 600 block of North Water Street shortly after 11:30 pm. 

A pickup truck driven by 21-year old Kellen Phillip Beaver of North Bend, Nebraska, had been traveling southbound on Racine Avenue at a high rate of speed and lost control while turning onto Water Street. The vehicle left the roadway and drove into Quasqueton Cemetery, hitting and destroying numerous headstones and grave markers before coming to rest in a residential yard.  

No injuries were reported. 

Beaver was arrested and charged with Operating While Intoxicated/Impaired – First Offense. He was also cited for Failure to Maintain Control and Failure to Maintain Proper Speed. 

A passenger in Beaver’s vehicle was cited for Open Container. 

The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Quasqueton Fire Department and AMR Ambulance Service.

photos courtesy of Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office