Inverness man found guilty of fatal 2021 hit and run crash
Office of the State Attorney, Fifth Judicial Circuit
William M. Gladson, State Attorney
Serving Marion, Lake, Citrus, Sumter, Hernando Counties
December 13, 2023
William M. Gladson, State Attorney
Serving Marion, Lake, Citrus, Sumter, Hernando Counties
December 13, 2023
Citrus County, Florida - On December 12, 2023, jurors in Florida's Fifth Judicial Circuit Court deliberated for nearly 45 minutes before returning a verdict of guilty for Mark Anthony Wieder, age 37, of Inverness, Florida, on charges of failing to stop at a crash involving a death and leaving a crash involving property damage. The hit and run crash resulted in the death of 45 year-old Kathryn Gosman of Inverness, Florida.
Wieder's sentencing is scheduled for December 29, 2023.
"The gravity of a fatal hit and run cannot be overstated," said State Attorney William "Bill" Gladson. "Tragedies like that of Kathryn Gosman, not only result in the loss of a precious life, but leave families shattered. Those responsible will eventually recognize the seriousness of their actions and should prepare to face the full consequences of such."
On February 25, 2021, Mrs. Gosman, who was employed by Angelo's Pizzaria in Inverness as a pre-cook and occasional delivery driver, was delivering an order to a S. Cascade Avenue, Inverness residence, and had just exited her GMC Envoy truck to deliver the food order when she was struck by Wieder's vehicle, which left her more than 100 feet from the area of impact. Mrs. Gosman was airlifted to an Ocala hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.
An investigation into the crash by Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Corporal Brian Dokendorf led to Wieder's arrest on April 7, 2023. During the investigation, Wieder claimed he thought he had hit a deer. He failed to stop to inspect the damages and continued to a store without reporting the incident to authorities. The investigation revealed that Wieder's vehicle, a GMC Sierra pickup truck, had damages consistent with the crash, and paint transfer further linked Wieder's truck as the at-fault vehicle.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Blake Shore and Tara Hartman.