Man’s murder prompts dismissal of motorcycle death case

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A man charged with killing a motorcyclist in Grand Rapids last summer was fatally shot in Wisconsin, prompting his criminal case to be dismissed.

Atem Peter Mathiang, 19, had a hearing scheduled this week in Kent County Circuit Court on a felony charge of reckless driving causing death. He was accused of striking a motorcyclist on the city’s southwest side and then fleeing.

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said the felony case was dismissed after his office received word that Mathiang was gunned down on July 2 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

According to Oshkosh police, officers responded to a report of a body in the street. A male victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

A July 3 news release from Oshkosh police indicated that a person of interest was arrested.

A news report from Wisconsin indicated that Mathiang was there visiting relatives when he was shot.

Mathiang was charged in early December with reckless driving causing death, a 15-year felony, for a fatal crash that happened Aug. 26, 2023.

Police said Mathiang’s vehicle struck a motorcycle in the area of Cesar E. Chavez Avenue and B Street SW.

Police say the motorcyclist, 21-year-old Jared Gossage, of Wyoming, died on scene.

The vehicle took off, according to Grand Rapids police. After coordinating with the Michigan State Police helicopter, police say they found the driver and one of the three passengers.

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