Long-Kloppel Funeral Home

Nilges, age 27, of Bland, was killed when the westbound 1997 Jeep Wrangler ran off the right side of Hwy 89 at the junction of Hwy 28 in Maries County early Saturday morning. RDN REPORTS Matthew C. Nilges, age 27, of Bland, was killed when the westbound 1997 Jeep Wrangler ran off the right side of Hwy 89 at the junction of Hwy 28 in Maries County early Saturday morning. Nilges was a passenger in the vehicle driven by 23 year-old Tanner M. Schroeder, also of Bland. Schroeder received serious injuries from the accident when the Jeep struck a sign and overturned in a ditch, ejecting both occupants. Neither the driver, nor passenger, were wearing seatbelts according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report.  Nilges was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident by Maries County Coroner Leo Kloppel at 2:50 a.m. He was transported to Sassmans Funeral Home in Belle, by Coroner Kloppel.Schroeder, the driver, was airlifted by Phelps Air Helicopter to Mercy Hospital in Creve Couer.Kloppel was assisted by Sgt. P Meyes, the MCIU crash team and Tpr. R. Tyler. (The Rolla Daily News)