Concordia University, Nebraska junior Matthew Wing has died following a car accident that also injured three of his track and field teammates, the university confirmed on Tuesday, March 17. He was 22.
The accident occurred on Friday, March 13 in Harrisonville, Missouri when Wing’s Toyota Prius collided with a Ford Explorer, the Missouri State Highway Patrol told local CBS affiliate KOLN-TV.
“Our Concordia Nebraska family is heartbroken,” the school wrote in a statement shared with the station. “We ask for your prayers during this time, for our campus and for the family and friends of the young men involved in this accident, that we can all find comfort in God’s love and healing grace.”
Wing, who was driving the car, was pronounced dead at the scene, while his teammates were taken to the hospital — one with serious injuries and the other two with minor injuries. The driver of the Ford Explorer, who Nebraska ABC affiliate KLKN-TV identified as a 30-year-old man, was also taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
A crash report obtained by KLKN-TV said the Explorer then came to a stop in the median while the Prius caught fire.
Wing is survived by his wife, Bri Worley, whom he met when the two were teenagers, according to his obituary.
“Matt met Bri Worley while on a church trip to Worlds of Fun in Kansas City in 2018 with the Trinity Youth Group,” the obituary reads. “Their friendship turned into love and on May 24, 2025, Matt and Brianna were married. They were blessed to have had each other in their lives for the last 7 ½ years.”
Wing was a three-year member of the Bulldogs’ track team, participating in jumps and sprints. A graduate of Sweet Springs High School in Missouri, he was the track team captain and also played on the school’s basketball and football teams.
“Matthew was such an amazing friend!” his schoolmate Malia Schleusener wrote in the Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home’s digital guestbook. “He was one of the first upperclassmen to take me ‘under his wing’ as a freshman. We connected through intramural sports and he was always such a joyful guy! Even though I know he is rejoicing in heaven, I am so saddened by his passing. I am excited to meet him again in heaven.”
His former track coach Gary Bredehoft added, “I had the privilege to coach Matthew for cross country at Lincoln Lutheran. He was a great teammate, and better yet a great person with a strong faith in God. It was a joy to coach him; daily, always giving 100%, one of the hardest workers on the team. Our Cross Country family is deeply saddened to lose one of our own. Prayers and condolences go out to his family and all that knew Matthew. May you continue to run in heaven to the glory of God and we on earth emulate Matthew’s spirit and faith.”
