Three members of the University of Wyoming swimming and diving team tragically lost their lives in a highway accident in Colorado. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon along U.S. 287, approximately 10 miles south of the Wyoming-Colorado border between Laramie and Fort Collins.
The fatal crash involved a Toyota RAV4 SUV carrying five individuals, which veered off the road and rolled over multiple times. Sadly, three students lost their lives in the accident: Charlie Clark, 19, a sophomore psychology major from Las Vegas; Luke Slabber, 21, a junior studying construction management from Cape Town, South Africa; and Carson Muir, 18, a freshman on the women’s swimming and diving team from Birmingham, Alabama.
The two other passengers, including the driver, sustained injuries but were released from the hospital the following day. According to the Colorado State Patrol, the driver may have swerved to avoid a slowing vehicle ahead, leading to the tragic accident.
The University of Wyoming community, as well as President Ed Seidel, expressed deep sorrow and condolences to the families and friends of the victims. The crash occurred while other team members were participating in the Mountain West Swimming & Diving Championships in Houston.
This heartbreaking incident recalls a similar tragedy in 2001 when eight members of the University of Wyoming cross-country team lost their lives in a head-on collision on the same highway. Since then, safety improvements have been made, but the road remains hazardous due to factors like blind curves and wildlife.
The loss of these promising young athletes has left a profound impact on the University of Wyoming and serves as a somber reminder of the importance of road safety. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims during this difficult time.
