Woman Accused Of Driving Through Allegheny Cemetery Gates Waives Charges To Trial
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- On New Year's Eve, authorities say D'anne Olivis drove her car through the historic gates of the Allegheny Cemetery, shattering the wrought-iron into dozens of scattered fragments.
Knocked unconscious at the time, she and her two passengers survived, sustaining only minor injuries.
"She needs to realize that it could have ended a lot differently for her," said David Michener, of Allegheny Cemetery.
On Tuesday, Olivis appeared in court. She's charged with driving under the influence and reckless endangerment.
Court records show it's her second DUI along with a number of prior charges for driving without a license, registration or insurance.
The case is of particular interest to the cemetery itself, which has lost its 168-year-old gates
"That were designed and developed by the original architect of Allegheny Cemetery," says Michener. "So it's a real loss to us."
Estimates for replacing the gates, which calls for using some of the original metal and matching the old workmanship, come in about $70,000, but the cemetery's interest is not just financial.
"We would love to see the full restitution for the replacement of the historic gates," Michener said. "That will be a significant amount of money, obviously. And we just hope that this defendant realizes the traumatic events that occurred that evening. She's very lucky."
Olivis waived the charges to court and was released on her own recognizance. She had no comment on her way out of court Tuesday.
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