By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET — An 88-year-old local man lost control of his vehicle and struck several cars, a utility pole and an iron fence and headstones at the Oak Grove Cemetery on Saturday at around 9:15 a.m., police said.

The driver was identified as Rudolph Tomkiewicz, of 119 Saratgoa Ave., Pawtucket. He was taken to the Memorial Hospital for a medical evaluation following the incident.
According to Pawtucket Police, Tomkiewicz had been driving south on Cottage Street when he came to the traffic signal at the intersection with Central Avenue and Sabin Street. Witnesses told police that Tomkiewicz headed east on Central Avenue but did not stop or begin to slow down for the traffic that was halted at the light ahead.
Tomkiewicz, driving a 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette, first struck a car driven by David J. Andrews of 138 Sabin St., Pawtucket, which was traveling south on Sabin Street. He then struck two vehicles parked in the lot of Scotties Auto Sales at 262 Central Ave., police said.
Tomkiewicz continued on and struck a traffic control box that was attached to a utility pole, heavily damaging it, and then continued onto the roadway where he struck two other vehicles that were stopped in traffic at the light, police said.
According to witnesses, Tomkiewicz' vehicle jumped the dividing median and crossed over the roadway onto the eastbound lanes of Central Avenue. He then jumped the curb and smashed into a wrought iron fence that surrounds the Oak Grove Cemetery. His vehicle continued into the cemetery where it struck at least five headstones before coming to rest on top of a large headstone.
According to Officer Carl Barovier, when he approached the vehicle, Tomkiewicz said he was not aware that he had just been involved in an accident. He also appeared disoriented when he was asked a series of questions by rescue personnel, Barovier said. He was transported to the Memorial Hospital, along with the driver and passenger from the first vehicle that he struck.
The two other drivers involved in the accident with Tomkiewicz were listed as Jonathan A. Carello, of 30 Fletcher St., Plainville, Mass., and John Kenny, of 64 River Rd., Lincoln, police said.
Police seized Tomkiewicz's driver's license, but decided after speaking with family members that no further enforcement action would be taken at this time.