Accidents claim lives of Bland man, JC woman

Two fatal overnight traffic incidents occured early Saturday.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports Matthew C. Nilges, 27, of Bland, died in a crash in Maries County.

At about 1:50 a.m., Tanner Schroeder, 23, of Bland, was driving a 1997 Jeep Wrangler westbound on Missouri 28, with Nilges as a passenger. At the junction with Missouri 89 in Belle, the Jeep traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a sign and ditch, then overturned - ejecting Nilges and Schroeder. Neither man was wearing a seatbelt.

Nilges was pronounced dead at the scene by Maries County Coroner Leo Kloppel about an hour later. Schroeder sustained serious injuries and was airlifted by Phelps Air Helicopter to Mercy Hospital at Creve Couer.

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Carole Thomas, 75, of Jefferson City, died in Cole County after being hit by a pickup truck in a driveway, according to the patrol.

The incident occured when Gary Thomas, 76, also of Jefferson City, attempted to reposition a 2014 Toyota Tundra in his driveway at about 4:50 a.m., in the 7000 block of Route Y.

Carole was walking around the back of the truck when she was struck by the rear of the vehicle. She was pronounced dead at 5:28 a.m. at the scene.