A heartbreaking tragedy has shaken the University of Wyoming and the broader collegiate athletic community after three members of the school’s swimming and diving team lost their lives in a devastating car crash near the Wyoming-Colorado border.
The victims have been identified as Carson Muir, 18, of Alabama; Charlie Clark, 19, of Nevada; and Luke Slabber, 21, of South Africa. The three student-athletes were traveling with two other teammates when their vehicle — a Toyota RAV4 — veered off U.S. Highway 287 near the intersection of Red Mountain Road and rolled several times. Authorities confirmed that two passengers were ejected from the vehicle during the crash.
The two surviving teammates were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries and later released. The loss of their teammates, however, has left the university and the tight-knit Wyoming swimming community reeling.
Officials from the Wyoming Highway Patrol are investigating the cause of the accident. So far, no factors — including speed, weather, or driver impairment — have been ruled out. Investigators described the crash site as a dangerous stretch of rural highway with limited visibility and narrow shoulders. Early reports suggest that no other vehicles were involved.
The five athletes were not traveling for a school-sanctioned event, but rather on personal time. That detail, though small, has done little to soften the heartbreak echoing through the University of Wyoming’s campus.
University President Ed Seidel released a statement shortly after the tragedy, expressing his devastation: “We are heartbroken by the loss of three young lives filled with potential and promise. Our entire university community grieves with their families, friends, and teammates. We are doing everything we can to support those affected.”
Athletics Director Tom Burman echoed the sentiment, calling the loss “an unimaginable tragedy that cuts to the core of our athletic family.” He confirmed that grief counselors and mental health services were being made available to all student-athletes, coaches, and staff. “Our priority right now is to take care of our people,” Burman said. “These students were part of a close community that trained, traveled, and competed together every day. Their absence will be deeply felt.”
For those who knew them, each of the three athletes brought something unique to the team — and to life.
Carson Muir, a freshman from Alabama, had just begun her college career. Known for her positivity and drive, she was described by teammates as “the kind of person who made early-morning practices bearable.” Her coach called her “a natural leader who radiated warmth and dedication.” She had been training to specialize in freestyle and butterfly events.
Charlie Clark, 19, from Henderson, Nevada, was a sophomore and one of the team’s most promising divers. He had competed in national youth events before joining the Wyoming program and was known for his precision and calm under pressure. Friends say he was the type who always checked in on others — a quiet but constant presence who anchored the team’s spirit.
Luke Slabber, 21, from Cape Town, South Africa, was in his junior year and had come to Wyoming on an athletic scholarship. His energy and humor were legendary among his peers. “Luke could make anyone laugh,” one teammate said. “He loved the water, he loved his teammates, and he loved life.”
Their deaths mark one of the darkest moments in recent memory for the university’s athletic department, which has long prided itself on its sense of community and resilience.
A memorial was quickly organized on campus, where hundreds of students, faculty, and alumni gathered to honor the fallen athletes. Teammates spoke through tears, sharing memories of road trips, grueling practices, and late-night study sessions. “They were more than teammates,” one swimmer said. “They were family.”
The vigil ended with candles placed at the edge of the university pool — their reflections shimmering across the still water — as the crowd observed a moment of silence.
Head swimming coach Dave Denniston struggled to find words but spoke with visible emotion. “We train to push past limits — in the water, in the classroom, in life. But there’s no training for a loss like this,” he said. “These kids were extraordinary. They were the future of this program.”
The tragedy has also drawn attention to the dangers of U.S. Highway 287, a long, rural route that connects Laramie, Wyoming, with Fort Collins, Colorado. The road is a common travel path for students, especially on weekends, but it has a long history of fatal crashes due to its winding terrain and limited lighting. Local authorities say they plan to review safety conditions in the area following the incident.
In the days after the crash, tributes poured in from across the country. Collegiate swim teams from the Mountain West Conference, rival schools, and national organizations shared condolences and posted messages of support online under the hashtag #SwimForWyoming.
Even professional swimmers weighed in. Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky posted a message on social media: “Heartbroken to hear about the Wyoming swim team tragedy. My deepest sympathies to the families and teammates. The swimming community is with you.”
The University of Wyoming’s student-athletes have since rallied around the survivors and the families of the victims. A GoFundMe campaign, launched by teammates to help with funeral expenses and family travel costs, surpassed its initial goal within 24 hours. “We want to honor them the way they lived — with strength, unity, and love,” the campaign read.
In Laramie, grief still hangs heavy, but there’s also resolve — a determination to carry on in memory of those lost. The university announced plans to dedicate its next home swim meet to the three students, with a moment of silence and their names displayed across the scoreboard.
As President Seidel told students during the vigil, “Tragedy tests who we are — as people, as teammates, as a university. Today, we mourn. Tomorrow, we honor them by living with the same passion and kindness they showed every day.”
While the investigation into the crash continues, the university community is left to grapple with the fragility of life and the strength of shared loss.
On campus, flowers, swim caps, and handwritten notes line the entrance of the Corbett Pool complex. Among them, one simple message stands out — a quote written on a damp notecard, taped to the glass door:
“In the water, we are weightless. Now you are, too.”
For those who knew Carson, Charlie, and Luke, that message feels achingly true. They are gone far too soon, but their impact — their laughter, dedication, and spirit — will ripple through the University of Wyoming for years to come.
The swimming and diving team will return to practice eventually, but nothing will ever be quite the same. The water, once a place of competition and camaraderie, will now also serve as a quiet memorial — a place to remember three teammates whose light burned bright, even if only for a short time.
