Following social media posts from the anti-truck group Safe Roads Illinois, Elwood police have confirmed that they issued three citations to a truck driver who allegedly illegally entered a veterans’ cemetery.
Elwood police say that the incident occurred on the afternoon of January 4th at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery off Route 53. According to reports, 43-year-old Chicago-based driver Faraz Namdari was en route to a warehouse when he became lost.
Namdari tried to turn his 73-foot truck around at the cemetery, ignoring a “No Trucks” sign. Cemetary staff and police say that the driver rolled over three graves, driving over curbs, onto the grass, and narrowly avoided several headstones. Cemetery staff were able to stop him.
Elwood authorities say that they won’t be able to assess the extent of the damage until the weather warms up, but they say that some of the burial sites could be in danger of collapse.
Faraz Namdari was cited with operating an overlength truck, spilling debris on the road, and disobeying ignoring a 5-ton weight limit sign — all misdemeanor charges.
Police Chief Fred Hayes spoke out about the incident: “This is a travesty that demonstrates a complete lack of respect to our veterans when truckers ignore signs, illegally drive through a national veterans cemetery and run over this sacred burial ground.”
@SafeRoadsIL – trucks deliver wreaths for a very special cause called Wreaths Across America – didn’t you know that CARS can leave marks?!
— V.K (@vcthaijai) January 5, 2016