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Patriot Guard motorcyclist in funeral procession struck, dies at hospital
KTVI Fox 2 St. Louis ^ | March 28, 2016 | Alex Fees

Posted on 03/29/2016 8:27:58 AM PDT by Da Bilge Troll

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO (KTVI) - At Archway Memorial Chapel in Hazelwood, owner Kenneth McGhee had nothing but good things to say about the Patriot Guard Riders, a volunteer motorcycle group that escorts funeral processions for fallen service members.

"Very kind people, very diligent," McGhee said. "They are very dignified and very proud of the service they provide for fellow veterans."

McGhee was particularly distressed to learn that a 64-year-old Patriot Guard Rider was struck by a vehicle and killed in south St. Louis County Monday while escorting a procession that originated at his funeral home.

"Until we learned the end result, even the family who was burying their loved one wanted to know if there was anything they could do," McGhee said.

According to the St. Louis County Police Department, the crash happened around 1:30 p.m. at Telegraph and Barracksview roads. The motorcycle driver, identified as Mark Schroeder, was traveling northbound on Telegraph Road working as the tail vehicle of a funeral procession to Jefferson Barracks Cemetery. When Schroeder arrived at the intersection, he was struck by a minivan heading east on Barracksview, trying to enter the Wal-Mart shopping plaza.

After striking the motorcycle, the minivan struck a third vehicle facing Barracksview, attempting to make a left turn onto Telegraph Road.

Schroeder was rushed to the hospital where he died of his injuries. No other injuries were reported.

"Once a funeral procession has entered into an intersection, by law they have the right of way,' said McGhee. "They only have to yield to emergency vehicles."

Asked if there's anything good that can come out of this unfortunate accident, McGhee said perhaps it will increase public awareness.

"We're seeing more and more vehicles interrupting funeral processions," he said. "Once again there is that statute that requires you do not impede into a funeral procession."

The St. Louis County Bureau of Crimes Against Persons, Crime Scene Unit, and Accident Reconstruction Team are investigating the crash. No word yet on whether the driver of the mini-van will face charges.


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Missouri
KEYWORDS: fallen; funeral; motorcycles; motorcyclist; patriotguard
The location of this accident was nearly at the entrance to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Another 100 yards, he would have been safely in the cemetery.
1 posted on 03/29/2016 8:27:58 AM PDT by Da Bilge Troll
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To: Da Bilge Troll

Photos at link.


2 posted on 03/29/2016 8:28:41 AM PDT by Da Bilge Troll (Defeatism is not a winning strategy!)
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To: Da Bilge Troll

The minivan driver was probably checking a cell phone


3 posted on 03/29/2016 8:29:43 AM PDT by AppyPappy (If you really want to irritate someone, point out something obvious they are trying hard to ignore.)
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To: AppyPappy

Do we know this wasn’t deliberate? I can see terrorist types going after these processions.


4 posted on 03/29/2016 8:30:29 AM PDT by dfwgator
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To: AppyPappy

I have considered getting a bracelet that reads, "If deceased, check texting record of driver who struck me." yet felt that might be tempting fate too much.

5 posted on 03/29/2016 8:37:22 AM PDT by Blue Jays (Rock Hard, Ride Free)
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To: AppyPappy

“The minivan driver was probably checking a cell phone”

Or just another drunk Mexican illegal!


6 posted on 03/29/2016 8:37:43 AM PDT by vette6387 (Obama can go to hell!)
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To: vette6387

A friend of ours was hit by a Somali woman who ran a red light in a minivan. She said after the crash there was a small child standing in the middle of the intersection - the Somali had her kids in the van unsecured, and one of them popped out right into the intersection!


7 posted on 03/29/2016 8:50:13 AM PDT by Disambiguator
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To: Da Bilge Troll

Probably an adjustment to the statute is needed. Not all states have a law like this. Proceeding through an intersection against the green especially on a motorcycle is a recipe for disaster.


8 posted on 03/29/2016 8:51:56 AM PDT by VTenigma (The Democratic party is the party of the mathematically challenged)
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To: Disambiguator

“A friend of ours was hit by a Somali woman who ran a red light in a minivan.”

WE DON’T NEED ANY OF THESE PEOPLE HERE IN OUR COUNTRY! They are a negative add in terms of any VALUE they bring.


9 posted on 03/29/2016 9:34:00 AM PDT by vette6387 (Obama can go to hell!)
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To: VTenigma

An experienced funeral director will ensure the hearse driver proceeds at 20 mph to allow all vehicles in procession to be bumper-to-bumper with headlights illuminated and four-way flashers engaged.

10 posted on 03/29/2016 9:50:40 AM PDT by Blue Jays (Rock Hard, Ride Free)
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To: vette6387

My bet is the same as yours. The volume of non whites I see on the street these days, is insane. I personally was rear ended by one a couple years back.
No speak English, no insurance of course.

To give them a license is deadly.


11 posted on 03/29/2016 9:51:22 AM PDT by AllAmericanGirl44 ("You see you don't have to live like a refugee" Tom Petty or obama?)
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To: AllAmericanGirl44

“To give them a license is deadly.”

Yeah, and thanks to our RAT Legislature, here in California we now have 600,000 of them with DL’s. We give our driver’s license tests in 27 different languages but you will note that despite that, our traffic signs are still only in English. And ALL of this, and I mean ALL OF IT is simply the RATS continuing effort to make this country a one-party socialist/Marxist state with the help of the GOPe and the big money folks here who can afford the protection against the coming assaults on the rest of us.


12 posted on 03/29/2016 9:57:16 AM PDT by vette6387 (Obama can go to hell!)
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To: Da Bilge Troll
Stuff like this happens more than you know. Right before the Christmas holiday back in 1999, my niece had picked up my parents car from their home with the intent of meeting them at Detroit Metro airport two days later on their arrival home from Arizona where they were wintering.

Prior to heading to the airport, she was in a funeral procession when some guy ran his light and broadsided my niece in the parent's car. Fortunately for my niece, the car was a sturdy 4 door luxury sedan and the driver hit the rear passenger door. While the car was totaled, my niece was unhurt.........

13 posted on 03/29/2016 10:05:57 AM PDT by Hot Tabasco
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To: Da Bilge Troll
RIP, dear Patriot.


14 posted on 03/29/2016 11:03:52 AM PDT by sockmonkey (Donald Trump will ban auto-correct with an Executive Order. Go Trump!)
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To: AllAmericanGirl44

A improperly-loaded work truck caused a five-car accident in which I was involved.
My car had about $1500.00 of damage. Two other cars burst into flames after impacting fuel containers and were a total charred loss.
The remaining two cars had damage worse than mine.

It happened on an interstate highway and troopers were dispatched to the accident site.
Credentials were collected, accident analyzed, eyewitnesses recorded, numbers exchanged, tickets issued, the whole bit.

Turns out the driver of the work truck was using a high-quality fake driver's license, fake registration, and fake insurance...that utterly fooled four state troopers.

Police and insurance company response to the five innocent AMERICAN drivers?
"...Sorry, tough break. That is sometimes how luck goes.
Now make sure y'all pay your insurance premium on time. Have a nice day.."


15 posted on 03/29/2016 11:53:27 AM PDT by Blue Jays (Rock Hard, Ride Free)
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To: Da Bilge Troll

If the Patriot Rider got hit at Barracks View & Telegraph (WalMart entrance), he was at least 3/4 mile West and 1/4 mile South (by roads) of the JB Cemetery main entrance. The street crossing Telegraph that runs in front of the cemetery entrance is Sappington Barracks Rd. Most of my family is buried at JB and I have lived in the area my entire life.


16 posted on 03/29/2016 12:32:50 PM PDT by OriginalChristian (The end of America, as founded, began when the first Career Politician was elected...)
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To: OriginalChristian
"Most of my family is buried at JB and I have lived in the area my entire life."

Thanks! I was speaking from faulty memory. It's been a few years.

17 posted on 03/29/2016 5:24:31 PM PDT by Da Bilge Troll (Defeatism is not a winning strategy!)
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To: Da Bilge Troll

You are most welcome.


18 posted on 03/30/2016 9:00:07 AM PDT by OriginalChristian (The end of America, as founded, began when the first Career Politician was elected...)
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