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Two dead, including Patriot Guard member, in crash during Donald Stratton’s funeral motorcade

GOVE COUNTY, Kan. -- In a tragic update to an already somber occasion, we're learning that two people are dead from separate crashes that happened during the funeral motorcade for Pearl Harbor veteran Donald Stratton.

The crashes were called in minutes apart Saturday evening as the procession moved through Kansas along I-70. Their final destination was Nebraska, where Stratton will be laid to rest.

One of the people killed was a motorcyclist and member of the Patriot Guard who was helping to escort Stratton's motorcade, as confirmed by ABC-affiliate station KAKE.

The Sheriff of Gove County in Kansas told KAKE that one of the Patriot Guard motorcycles lost control while riding eastbound on I-70.

The driver, identified as 65-year-old Lennie Riedel of Kansas, was struck by another eastbound vehicle and died at the scene, according to Kansas Highway Patrol.

About 10 minutes later, around 7:12 p.m., a second person was killed when their vehicle hit a parked fire truck that had been responding to the first death, says KHP.

The second victim was identified as 81-year-old Carl Silvrants of Virginia. The driver of the firetruck was not injured, according to the Sheriff.

We're working to learn more about this incident. Check back here for updates.

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Suzie Ziegler

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