In a heartbreaking tragedy that struck on the afternoon of Thursday, February 22, 2024.
The University of Wyoming community was shaken to its core when three student-athletes from the school’s swimming and diving program lost their lives in a fatal rollover crash along a 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 known for its challenging road conditions, frequent weather shifts, and history of severe collisions.
Victims Identified
The University later confirmed the identities of the victims:
Charlie Clark, 19, of Las Vegas, a sophomore psychology major and 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 determination and humility.
Luke Slabber, 21, of Cape Town, South Africa, a junior studying construction management and a rising leader on the men’s roster.
Luke was known for his international perspective, unwavering dedication to his sport, and a sense of humor that could lighten even the tensest moments during practice.
Carson Muir, 18, of Birmingham, Alabama, a freshman on the women’s team pursuing a degree in animal and veterinary sciences.
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.
Coaches, teammates, and peers remembered all three as hardworking, positive, and deeply committed individuals whose passion for swimming and diving was matched by their dedication to academic excellence.
“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 Crash
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 off the right shoulder of the highway.
Once the vehicle left the paved roadway, it rolled multiple times down a slight embankment.
During the 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. 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 that the young athletes were traveling for personal reasons, not as part of team activities.
Investigators continue to review the crash for contributing factors, including road conditions, vehicle mechanics, and environmental factors such as visibility and weather.
University Response and Support
The news of the tragedy prompted immediate and emotional responses from the University of Wyoming leadership.
In a statement, 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 also released a statement offering condolences, noting that the loss represents a profound blow not only to the university’s swimming and diving program but to the entire campus community.
“These were students who brought immense energy, dedication, and integrity to everything they did. Their loss is devastating,” Burman said.
In response, the university immediately mobilized counseling services, mental-health resources, and grief support programs for students, coaches, staff, and teammates affected by the tragedy.
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 Counseling Center and Student Wellness Program have extended hours and additional staff to meet increased demand, and peer-support networks have been activated across campus.
Community and State Reactions
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 to the families and friends of the victims, emphasizing the importance of community support during this time of mourning.
Tributes and memorials began to appear almost immediately, from digital messages shared online by classmates and teammates to candlelight vigils organized in Laramie.
Alumni and former coaches also reached out, sharing memories and reflections on the lives and achievements of Charlie, Luke, and Carson.
Highway Safety Concerns
This tragic crash has renewed 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 for commuters and travelers alike.
Transportation experts have long cited its combination of two-lane road design, blind curves, unpredictable weather conditions, wildlife crossings, and slow-moving traffic merging into fast lanes as contributing factors in its above-average accident rate.
Local and state officials have called for enhanced safety measures along the highway, including better signage, wider shoulders, improved guardrails, and increased enforcement to reduce the risk of serious crashes.
The UW tragedy has intensified discussions about infrastructure improvements and driver awareness campaigns to prevent future incidents.
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 who knew the athletes personally.
The gathering aims to provide a space for mourning, reflection, and communal remembrance.
In addition to the official ceremony, students, staff, and community members are encouraged to participate in local vigils, donate to scholarships established in the athletes’ memory, or contribute to mental-health and wellness initiatives on campus.
The university has also launched an online remembrance page where friends, teammates, and alumni can share stories, photos, and messages honoring Charlie, Luke, and Carson.
Legacy and Remembrance
Friends and teammates remember the three student-athletes not only for their skill and dedication in the pool but for their character, leadership, and kindness.
Charlie Clark was remembered as a thoughtful mentor who supported his peers academically and personally.
Luke Slabber’s international perspective and humor brought joy and motivation to everyone around him.
Carson Muir was recognized for her gentle demeanor, determination, and commitment to both her sport and studies in animal and veterinary sciences.
While their lives were tragically cut short, the impact they made on their teammates, coaches, and the University of Wyoming community will not be forgotten.
The university has emphasized that their stories, achievements, and contributions will continue to be celebrated, even as students, staff, and families grieve their sudden loss.
Moving Forward
As the University of Wyoming and the broader community confront this tragedy, the focus remains on healing, remembrance, and safety.
Students and staff are encouraged to utilize counseling resources, check in on one another, and support the teammates who survived while honoring the memory of the three lives lost.
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life, the need for roadway safety, and the importance of community support during moments of profound loss.
“We will carry Charlie, Luke, and Carson in our hearts forever,” said President Seidel. “Their legacy will live on through their friends, teammates, families, and everyone they touched at the University of Wyoming.”
In a heartbreaking tragedy that struck on the afternoon of Thursday, February 22, 2024.
The University of Wyoming community was shaken to its core when three student-athletes from the school’s swimming and diving program lost their lives in a fatal rollover crash along a 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 known for its challenging road conditions, frequent weather shifts, and history of severe collisions.
Victims Identified
The University later confirmed the identities of the victims:
Charlie Clark, 19, of Las Vegas, a sophomore psychology major and 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 determination and humility.
Luke Slabber, 21, of Cape Town, South Africa, a junior studying construction management and a rising leader on the men’s roster.
Luke was known for his international perspective, unwavering dedication to his sport, and a sense of humor that could lighten even the tensest moments during practice.
Carson Muir, 18, of Birmingham, Alabama, a freshman on the women’s team pursuing a degree in animal and veterinary sciences.
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.
Coaches, teammates, and peers remembered all three as hardworking, positive, and deeply committed individuals whose passion for swimming and diving was matched by their dedication to academic excellence.
“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 Crash
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 off the right shoulder of the highway.
Once the vehicle left the paved roadway, it rolled multiple times down a slight embankment.
During the 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. 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 that the young athletes were traveling for personal reasons, not as part of team activities.
Investigators continue to review the crash for contributing factors, including road conditions, vehicle mechanics, and environmental factors such as visibility and weather.
University Response and Support
The news of the tragedy prompted immediate and emotional responses from the University of Wyoming leadership.
In a statement, 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 also released a statement offering condolences, noting that the loss represents a profound blow not only to the university’s swimming and diving program but to the entire campus community.
“These were students who brought immense energy, dedication, and integrity to everything they did. Their loss is devastating,” Burman said.
In response, the university immediately mobilized counseling services, mental-health resources, and grief support programs for students, coaches, staff, and teammates affected by the tragedy.
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 Counseling Center and Student Wellness Program have extended hours and additional staff to meet increased demand, and peer-support networks have been activated across campus.
Community and State Reactions
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 to the families and friends of the victims, emphasizing the importance of community support during this time of mourning.
Tributes and memorials began to appear almost immediately, from digital messages shared online by classmates and teammates to candlelight vigils organized in Laramie.
Alumni and former coaches also reached out, sharing memories and reflections on the lives and achievements of Charlie, Luke, and Carson.
Highway Safety Concerns
This tragic crash has renewed 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 for commuters and travelers alike.
Transportation experts have long cited its combination of two-lane road design, blind curves, unpredictable weather conditions, wildlife crossings, and slow-moving traffic merging into fast lanes as contributing factors in its above-average accident rate.
Local and state officials have called for enhanced safety measures along the highway, including better signage, wider shoulders, improved guardrails, and increased enforcement to reduce the risk of serious crashes.
The UW tragedy has intensified discussions about infrastructure improvements and driver awareness campaigns to prevent future incidents.
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 who knew the athletes personally.
The gathering aims to provide a space for mourning, reflection, and communal remembrance.
In addition to the official ceremony, students, staff, and community members are encouraged to participate in local vigils, donate to scholarships established in the athletes’ memory, or contribute to mental-health and wellness initiatives on campus.
The university has also launched an online remembrance page where friends, teammates, and alumni can share stories, photos, and messages honoring Charlie, Luke, and Carson.
Legacy and Remembrance
Friends and teammates remember the three student-athletes not only for their skill and dedication in the pool but for their character, leadership, and kindness.
Charlie Clark was remembered as a thoughtful mentor who supported his peers academically and personally.
Luke Slabber’s international perspective and humor brought joy and motivation to everyone around him.
Carson Muir was recognized for her gentle demeanor, determination, and commitment to both her sport and studies in animal and veterinary sciences.
While their lives were tragically cut short, the impact they made on their teammates, coaches, and the University of Wyoming community will not be forgotten.
The university has emphasized that their stories, achievements, and contributions will continue to be celebrated, even as students, staff, and families grieve their sudden loss.
Moving Forward
As the University of Wyoming and the broader community confront this tragedy, the focus remains on healing, remembrance, and safety.
Students and staff are encouraged to utilize counseling resources, check in on one another, and support the teammates who survived while honoring the memory of the three lives lost.
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life, the need for roadway safety, and the importance of community support during moments of profound loss.
“We will carry Charlie, Luke, and Carson in our hearts forever,” said President Seidel. “Their legacy will live on through their friends, teammates, families, and everyone they touched at the University of Wyoming.”