Matthew Wing, a 22-year-old junior on the Concordia University Nebraska track and field team, died in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 49 in Cass County, Missouri, on December 6, 2024.[1][2]
The Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report states that a 2010 Chevrolet Impala driven by Trevor R. Gann, 30, of Lee's Summit, Missouri, was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes when it collided head-on with the 2015 Toyota RAV4 driven by Wing around 10:20 p.m. near mile marker 157.[2][3] Wing's vehicle became engulfed in fire following the impact.
Wing was pronounced dead at the scene. Three teammates who were passengers in his vehicle—Jake Reed, 22, of Bellevue, Nebraska; Grace Pralle, 21, of Gretna, Nebraska; and Josiah Ortmeier, 20, of Humphrey, Nebraska—were hospitalized. Reed sustained serious injuries, while Pralle and Ortmeier had minor injuries. Gann was also hospitalized with serious injuries.[2][3]
Concordia University Nebraska, a private Lutheran institution in Seward, Nebraska, and a member of the NAIA's Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC), confirmed Wing's death on December 10, 2024. "Concordia University, Nebraska Athletics mourns the loss of Matthew Wing and extends heartfelt condolences to his loved ones, friends, classmates and teammates," the athletics department said in a statement. "We pray that they find comfort in God's love and healing grace."[1][4]
Wing, a Seward native majoring in youth ministry and exercise science, competed in sprints for the Bulldogs. His personal best in the indoor 400 meters was 51.17 seconds, set in 2024. He was part of the team's 4x400-meter relay that earned GPAC indoor all-conference honors during the 2024-25 season.[1][5]
An obituary described Wing as an avid runner devoted to his Christian faith. He was survived by his parents Scott and Shelly, brother Jacob, sister Madelyn, and fiancée Brianna Worley, whom he met on a church youth group trip in 2018.[4][6]
No charges have been filed as of December 10, 2024, according to available reports.[2][3]
Sources
- Concordia University Nebraska Athletics, "Matthew Wing Tragically Killed in Auto Accident", December 10, 2024, https://cunebulldogs.com/news/2024/12/10/track-and-field-matthew-wing-tragically-killed-in-auto-accident.aspx
- Fox News, "Nebraska college track star, 22, killed after wrong-way driver strikes car carrying teammates", December 10, 2024, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nebraska-college-track-star-22-killed-wrong-way-driver-strikes-car-carrying-teammates
- KOLN/KGIN (1011NOW), "Concordia track athlete killed in I-49 crash in Cass County, Missouri", December 10, 2024, https://www.1011now.com/2024/12/10/concordia-track-athlete-killed-i-49-crash-cass-county-missouri/
- Rippel Funeral Home, "Obituary for Matthew James Wing", December 2024, https://www.rppel.com/obituaries/Matthew-Wing
- Concordia University Nebraska Athletics, "Matthew Wing - 2024-25 - Track & Field (M)", accessed December 2024, https://cunebulldogs.com/sports/track-and-field/roster/matthew-wing/13794
