LARAMIE, WY — The University of Wyoming (UW) community was shaken to its core by a heartbreaking tragedy on the afternoon of Thursday, February 22, 2024. Three promising student-athletes from the school’s swimming and diving program lost their lives in a fatal rollover crash along a notoriously challenging, rural stretch of U.S. Highway 287 near the Colorado–Wyoming border. The accident occurred shortly before 2:45 p.m., in an area near Red Mountain Road—a region long recognized for its demanding road conditions, frequent, unpredictable weather shifts, and a history of severe collisions.
Victims Identified: The Loss of Promising Lives
The University later confirmed the identities of the three victims, who were remembered for their dedication, positivity, and commitment to excellence:
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Charlie Clark, 19: A sophomore psychology major from Las Vegas and a dedicated member of the men’s swim team. Coaches described Charlie as a natural leader in the locker room, someone who pushed himself and inspired teammates with both humility and sheer determination.
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Luke Slabber, 21: A junior studying construction management from Cape Town, South Africa, and a rising leader on the men’s roster. Luke was known for his international perspective, unwavering dedication to his sport, and a powerful sense of humor that could lighten even the tensest moments during practice.
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Carson Muir, 18: A freshman on the women’s team pursuing a degree in animal and veterinary sciences from Birmingham, Alabama. Carson’s teammates praised her kindness, meticulous attention to technique, and the warmth she brought to team dynamics both in and out of the pool.
“These were students who truly embodied the spirit of our program,” said one coach. “Their presence on campus and in the pool will be profoundly missed.”
Details of the Fatal Incident
According to the Colorado State Patrol, the five student-athletes were traveling together in a Toyota RAV4 when the incident occurred. Investigators believe the driver swerved—possibly to avoid another vehicle that had slowed or turned—which caused the SUV to lose stability and veer abruptly off the right shoulder of the highway.
Once the vehicle left the paved roadway, it rolled multiple times down a slight embankment. During the violent rollover, two passengers were ejected from the vehicle, and three of the occupants—Charlie Clark, Luke Slabber, and Carson Muir—were pronounced dead at the scene due to the severity of their injuries.
Two additional male student-athletes survived the crash. Their injuries were classified as non-life-threatening, and both were released from the hospital shortly after receiving treatment. One of the survivors was confirmed to be the driver at the time of the crash. Officials emphasized that the trip was not an official university-sanctioned event, meaning the young athletes were traveling for personal reasons, not as part of team activities. Investigators continue to review the crash for all potential contributing factors, including adverse road conditions, vehicle mechanics, and environmental factors such as visibility and weather.
University and Community Response
The news prompted immediate and emotional responses from the University of Wyoming leadership. UW President Ed Seidel expressed profound sorrow and highlighted the collective grief felt across the university, the athletic community, and the state: “This tragedy has shaken our university, our state, our student-athlete community, and, most importantly, the families and friends of these young people. Words cannot adequately express the sorrow we feel at losing Charlie, Luke, and Carson.”
Athletics Director Tom Burman echoed the sentiment, noting the loss represents a profound blow to the entire campus community. In response, the university immediately mobilized counseling services, mental-health resources, and grief support programs. Special team-focused sessions were arranged to help athletes process the emotional toll of losing friends and teammates under such sudden and traumatic circumstances.
The accident prompted a wave of grief and solidarity from local residents, state leaders, and the broader university community. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon and First Lady Jennie Gordon expressed their condolences, emphasizing the critical importance of community support during this time of mourning. Tributes and memorials began to appear almost immediately, from digital messages shared online to candlelight vigils organized in Laramie.
Renewed Focus on Highway Safety
This tragic crash has renewed intense scrutiny of the stretch of U.S. Highway 287 where the accident occurred. The corridor, which winds through rural Colorado from Fort Collins to the Wyoming border, is a well-known route that transportation experts have long cited as dangerous. Its combination of two-lane road design, blind curves, unpredictable weather conditions, wildlife crossings, and slow-moving traffic merging into fast lanes are known contributing factors in its above-average accident rate. Local and state officials have now called for enhanced safety measures along the highway, including better signage, wider shoulders, improved guardrails, and increased enforcement to reduce the risk of future serious crashes.
Honoring the Lives Lost
To honor the memory of the three student-athletes, the University of Wyoming has scheduled a public “Celebration of Life” ceremony on March 6, 2024, at the Arena-Auditorium. The event will feature remarks from university leadership, the Governor of Wyoming, athletic coaches, teammates, and community representatives. The gathering aims to provide a space for communal mourning, reflection, and remembrance.
The university has emphasized that the stories, achievements, and contributions of Charlie, Luke, and Carson will continue to be celebrated. Their legacy lies not only in their skill and dedication in the pool but in their character, leadership, and kindness, serving as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life, the need for roadway safety, and the vital importance of community support during moments of profound loss.
