Patriot Guard Riders motorcyclist killed en route to funeral

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis County police are investigating an accident that killed a Patriot Guard Riders motorcyclist who was escorting a funeral procession to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

The accident happened Monday afternoon when a minivan struck 64-year-old Mark Schroeder of south St. Louis County. He died at a hospital.

R.J. Bailey of Joplin, captain for the Missouri Patriot Guard Riders, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Schroeder was leading the Patriot Guard Riders, who often escort veterans' funeral processions.

After striking the motorcycle, the minivan struck another vehicle. No one else was hurt.

Fellow ride captain Rick Kroeger said he was holding up traffic at the intersection as the funeral procession passed through. Schroeder was about 50 yards behind him.

"I made eye contact with the woman, stopped, put my hand up, and said, 'Hold,"' Kroeger said. Despite his instructions, Kroeger said, the woman went through the intersection and struck Schroeder on his motorcycle.

No arrests have been made.

Kroeger said Schroeder served in the Army and was retired. He was married with two grown children.

"He was dedicated to the Patriot Guard mission," Kroeger said.

A police accident-reconstruction team was involved in the investigation.

Information from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, http://www.stltoday.com