Funeral procession accident points to conflicting statutes

Originally published June 14, 2011 at 5:49 a.m., updated June 20, 2011 at 11:04 a.m.

This is the correction that ran in the paper, Wed. June 15:

The two motorcycle riders hurt in last Wednesday's funeral procession accident were near the end of a group of more than two dozen motorcycles that were grouped together behind the hearse and funeral home limousines, according to family members and friends who also were riding in the procession.

A story in Tuesday's News Tribune incorrectly stated the injured motorcyclists were leading the procession.

Originally reported

Two motorcycles leading a funeral procession last week were not marked properly for leading such a procession, Jefferson City Police said in an accident report released Monday. But the city ordinance mentioned in the report may conflict with state law on funeral procession operations.

Police said William Feltrop, 63, Freeburg, and William Hatfield, 45, Jefferson City, were riding side-by-side, westbound on Dunklin Street, around 11:38 a.m. last Wednesday.

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They said Feltrop and Hatfield failed to stop for a red light at Broadway Street, and a southbound vehicle driven by Sara Smith, 34, Jefferson City, entered the intersection on a green light and struck Feltrop’s motorcycle, knocking it over and into Hatfield.

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billh 1 year, 11 months ago

First thing we were not leading the procession. Second state laws says that funeral processions have the right of way regardless of signs and signals. So why are we being blamed for the accident and not Sara Smith. It seems to be because she is the wife of a Capt. Smith of JCPD! Hmmmmmmm.......

billh 1 year, 11 months ago

Oh did I forget to mention witnesses from the procession and stopped for it saw her on her cell phone. And my flashers were on which is the only thing I am required by law to do since we were not leading the procession.

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