Matthew Wing, a 22-year-old junior track and field athlete at Concordia University, died in a car crash on Interstate 49 in Harrisonville, Mo. on Friday, according to KOLN-TV in Lincoln, Neb.
A crash report conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol states that Wing was at the wheel of a Toyota Prius, which was carrying three other people, traveling northbound, when a southbound Ford Explorer driving in the northbound lanes collided with their vehicle at 10:20 p.m.
The Prius caught fire while the Ford was stopped on the median.
The three passengers in the car with Wing, who were identified as Concordia students, were injured in the crash, per the report.
The Seward, Nebraska, university’s website says they were also members of the Bulldogs’ track and field team, according to KOLN.
The driver of the Explorer — who was not identified and described as a 30-year-old man from Lee’s Summit, Mo. — reportedly was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
Concordia University athletics confirmed the loss of King on Tuesday in social media posts.
“Concordia University, Nebraska Athletics mourns the loss of Matthew Wing and extends heartfelt condolences to his wife and family. We pray that his loved ones, friends, classmates and teammates find comfort in God’s love and healing grace,” the University’s athletics page wrote, including photos of King and his teammates.
Wing, a native of Sweet Springs, Mo., is survived by his wife, Bri Worley, whom he met on a church trip to Kansas City in 2018, according to his obituary. The pair married on May 24, 2025.
He is also survived by his parents, sister, brother and extended family members.
King was pursuing his degree in secondary education.
