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Out Of Control Car Tears Through Phila. Cemetery

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Feb 7, 2008 9:00 pm US/Eastern

Out Of Control Car Tears Through Phila. Cemetery

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― Police are investigating a bizarre accident that caused thousands of dollars in damage to a North Philadelphia cemetery.

An out of control sports utility vehicle drove through the Greenmount Cemetery on Front Street in Hunting Park at about 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, destroying 25 tombstones.

Police said two females and a male were inside the Dodge Durango as it traveled approximately 1,000 feet into the final resting grounds.

"They were back here for no legitimate purpose, I don't know if they were back here just to joyride or to get involved in some illegal activity," Chief Inspector Scott Small said. "However, they had no business being back here and unfortunately for them, their vehicle lost control and did a lot of damage."

Investigators said 21-year-old Kisha Carthon, of N. Palthorpe Street, was driving the vehicle under the influence of some type of substance. The owner of the Durango, 25-year-old Ernestine Vega, of Water Street, was in the passenger's seat.

Both women are facing charges. An unidentified male in the rear seat suffered a broken collar bone and was taken to an area hospital.

The incident may have gone unnoticed had it not been for members of Philadelphia's Major Crimes Auto Squad, whose headquarters is right next to the cemetery.

"Detectives happened to be outdoors at their headquarters investigating a vehicle that they had impounded and they were able to hear the engine revving," Small said.

Groundskeepers estimate the damage caused by the crash is in the thousands.

Carthon was arrested and charged with conspiracy, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, institutional vandalism and DUI. Vega was also arrested and faces the same charges. The male was not charged.

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