A truck burns rubber on Spruce Street. Photo by MPG staff

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Midday Friday, billowing clouds of smoke filled the air as an extremely large funeral procession became overzealous in honoring the memory of their loved one.

After a funeral ceremony held at Gridley’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church, a large number of vehicles participated in a traditional caravan to the cemetery for the internment of the deceased, who will remain unnamed out of respect for family.

As the line of cars made their way down Spruce Street towards Highway 99, multiple vehicles were witnessed doing burnouts and donuts in the middle of Spruce street, abruptly crossing into the other lane and creating thick clouds of rank smoke. Witnesses reported watching vehicles spin circles, burning rubber in front of oncoming traffic, knocking debris into the roadway, and creating a spectacle.

A truck involved does a burnout in the middle of the street. Photo by MPG staff

Gridley Police Department dispatch reported multiple calls at the time of the incidents’ occurrence and units were quickly dispatched to address the reckless driving.

As the procession reached the Gridley-Biggs Cemetery, the shenanigans continued.

Concerned about what was occurring at the graveside and the potential for danger and DUI, a cemetery employee called authorities at 1:44 p.m. to report that nearly 250 people were currently at the cemetery and some were drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. The call was forwarded to the California Highway Patrol for assistance.

As the day progressed, cemetery staff remained vigilant and posted themselves at entrance and exit routes to direct traffic. Meanwhile, Gridley Police Department, CHP, and Butte County Sheriff’s Office had responded and were dealing with drivers exiting the cemetery that may have been involved in the previous incidents reported, conducting traffic stops.

It was observed that Gridley Police Officers had detained a white truck matching the description of one of the trucks performing donuts and burnouts on Spruce St. It is believed that vehicle was taken into possession by authorities. Police reports are being requested for more information regarding that incident and the events on Spruce Street.

At that time, services were wrapping up at the cemetery and more attendees were leaving. A different white GMC Sierra truck, very similar to the truck that had been detained by Gridley Police Department for burnouts, was witnessed driving over graves in the cemetery.  The vehicle was observed leaving the north exit lane of the cemetery, driving onto the grass and headstones of one of the central portions of the cemetery to reach the main entrance lane, where it continued to drive the wrong direction and exit the cemetery.  The drivers’ actions were caught on camera.

A truck involved is driven through the Gridley-Biggs Cemetery. Photo by MPG staff

Cemetery staff reported that another vehicle had also driven across the same area, but in a different section closer to the cemetery office. They also reported having to stop more than five cars from following the same course of action. Staff inspected the areas driven over and documented photos of muddy tire tracks that were found on the base of a 94-year-old headstone. The cemetery reported the incident to Butte County Sheriff’s Office, regardless of the fact that no damage could be found to any of the stones.

A records request is being filed for additional information on this incident.

Photos of the incidents spread on social media, especially the incident at the cemetery, causing great concern for families and friends with loved ones buried at the Gridley-Biggs Cemetery.

After posting images of the disrespectful driver at the cemetery and their callous deeds, the editor for the Facebook page Gridley Media Group said that he had calls from families in Oklahoma, Tennessee, North Carolina, and even Arkansas contacting him wanting to know if they needed to travel to Gridley to confirm the safety of their families’ resting places. Concerned himself, he personally went out to the cemetery and took photos of the graves believed to have been driven over, posting pictures to calm any fears.

Cemetery management has expressed that if anyone has concerns about their loved ones and their monuments, please contact the office and staffers will do a site check and provide photographs of the gravesite requested. 

In regard to the incidents that occurred Friday, cemetery staff, at the direction of the cemetery board, have declined to comment until after a meeting scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Wednesday the 17th, 2024.

The Gridley-Biggs Cemetery can be reached at 530-846-2537, and is located at 2023 State Hwy 99, Gridley, CA 95948.