By Steve Huffman
shuffman@salisburypost.com
ROCKWELL ó A motorist ran off the road and struck a pillar at an entrance to the cemetery of Grace Lower Stone Church early Wednesday morning.
Damage wasn’t severe, according to the church’s pastor, the Rev. Spencer Swain.
A report of the accident was not available from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office Thursday.
Swain said a motorist ran off Lower Stone Church Road during the midst of Wednesday morning’s fog.
“I remember the fog was so bad I couldn’t see 10 feet in front of me,” Swain said.
He said a column at the entrance to the cemetery was struck. It absorbed the blow, Swain said, and there was little more damage.
Swain said he and members of the congregation were happy there were no injuries as a result of the accident. Damage to the cemetery was a secondary concern, he said.
“It was an accident and accidents happen,” Swain said.
He said insurance will pay for repairs, and said longtime church members have told him this isn’t the first time a car has run off the road and struck either the stone wall that surrounds the cemetery or some of the grave markers therein.
“He hit it pretty good,” Swain said of the motorist who ran off the road. “A stone wall will stop you.”