Three UW Swimmers Killed in Crash on U.S. Highway 287

Three members of the University of Wyoming swimming and diving team died in a single-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 287 about 10 miles south of the Wyoming-Colorado border Thursday afternoon.

Two other members of the men's swimming and diving team were injured in the crash. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

The crash happened between Livermore and Virginia Dale, Colo., at the intersection of Highway 287 and Red Mountain Road, according to reports from the Colorado State Patrol. Initial indications are that the driver swerved and the vehicle went off the road, rolling multiple times. The accident is under investigation.

"We are heartsick at the news of this terrible tragedy for our university, our state, our student-athlete community and, most importantly, the families and friends of these young people," UW President Ed Seidel says. "Words are insufficient to express our sadness."

"My thoughts and prayers are with our swimming and diving student-athletes, coaches, families and friends," UW Director of Athletics Tom Burman says. "It is difficult to lose members of our University of Wyoming family, and we mourn the loss of these student-athletes. We have counseling services available to our student-athletes and coaches in our time of need."

In a statement released Friday, Seidel said, The University of Wyoming family has suffered a tremendous loss.

As was noted in a communication last evening, three members of our swimming and diving team died in a single-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 287 about 10 miles south of the Wyoming-Colorado border Thursday afternoon. Their families have now been notified.

Killed were Charlie Clark, 19, a sophomore on the men’s team and a psychology major from Las Vegas, Nevada; Carson Muir, 18, a freshman on the women’s team and an animal and veterinary sciences major from Birmingham, Alabama; and Luke Slabber, 21, a junior on the men’s team studying construction management from Cape Town, South Africa.

Two other members of the men’s swimming and diving team were injured in the crash. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

The terrible news of this fatal crash comes as our campus is still reeling from last week’s loss of Army ROTC student Sabrina Geller, of Laramie. Her body was found in the Vedauwoo area Feb. 14. The circumstances of her death are still being investigated, but law enforcement officials say there was no sign of foul play.

I attended Sabrina’s memorial service Thursday, along with many from our community, and I was touched by the number of people she had impacted in her short life. That’s certainly the case for our swimming and diving team members as well. They hailed from widely different geographies, but they found a home on our campus and in our student-athlete community. We will miss them all immensely.

As Director of Athletics Tom Burman and I said in the communication last night, our thoughts and prayers are with these students, their families and many friends. The Department of Athletics has made counseling services available to student-athletes and coaches; other UW students in need of support are encouraged to contact the University Counseling Center at (307) 766-2187. The Counseling Center is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and is prepared to support students. Students can also call an after-hours crisis counselor at (307) 766-8989.

The Dean of Students Office, (307) 766-3296, is available for any well-being support or academic assistance students may need.

UW employees may seek assistance through the Employee Assistance Program -- specifically, MINES & Associates, at 1-800-873-7138.

As we mourn the loss of these students, let’s do our best and pull together, support those who are suffering, and show the compassion and kindness that characterize what it means to be part of this community.

Governor Mark Gordon has issued the following statement after learning of a single-vehicle car accident that claimed the lives of three members of the University of Wyoming swim team on Thursday on U.S. 287 in northern Colorado.

"I am heartbroken to learn of the tragic deaths of three University of Wyoming student athletes in a motor vehicle accident on US 287 in Colorado. Jennie and I join the entire university community and all of Wyoming in mourning this loss, and we ask you to keep their families, friends and loved ones close to your hearts during this difficult time."