A Concordia University student was killed around 10:30 Friday night by a wrong-way driver on Interstate 49 in Harrisonville, Missouri. According to a crash report from the Missouri Highway Patrol four Concordia students were traveling northbound in a Toyota Prius and were struck head-on by a southbound Ford Explorer traveling in the northbound lanes.
The Explorer came to rest in the median and the Prius caught fire. Investigators say 22-year-old Matthew Wing of Seward was killed. Wing‘s three passengers were taken to the hospital for treatment.
Investigators says the 30-year-old wrong-way driver is from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, who was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Wing was a junior on the track and field team. KLIN News obtained a statement from Concordia University Chief Operating Officer Kim Boyce.
“On Friday, March 13, one of our students, junior Matthew Wing, was called home to Jesus. Matthew and three other Concordia Nebraska students, junior Noah Ramirez, junior Jackson Lindburg and junior Hayden Kluthe, were involved in a vehicle accident. Noah, Jackson and Hayden sustained severe injuries,” Boyce says.
“We pray for Matthew’s family and friends who are grieving the loss of their loved one. We also pray for Noah, Jackson and Hayden and their families and friends as they navigate the aftermath of this accident.”
Boyce’s statement continued. “Our Concordia Nebraska family is heartbroken. We ask for your prayers during this time, for our campus and for the families and friends of the young men involved in this accident, that we can all find comfort in God’s love and healing grace.”