Three students from the University of Wyoming swimming and diving team lost their lives in a tragic accident, while two others were injured, as their SUV veered off the road and rolled over near a rural highway.
This marks the fifteenth time students from the university have been killed on this dangerous road in recent years.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon on U.S. 287, around 10 miles south of the Wyoming-Colorado border, between Laramie and Fort Collins.
The Toyota RAV4 SUV, carrying five individuals, went off the road, causing it to roll over multiple times.
Who Are the 3 University of Wyoming swimmers killed in highway crash?
Sophomore Charlie Clark, aged 19, hailing from Las Vegas; junior Luke Slabber, aged 21, from Cape Town, South Africa; and freshman Carson Muir, aged 18, coming from Birmingham, Alabama, tragically lost their lives in a devastating collision at the junction of U.S. Highway 287 and Red Mountain Road, located between Livermore and Virginia Dale, Colorado. The university verified this heart-wrenching information through an official press release.
Initial reports indicate that the driver deviated from the roadway, resulting in the vehicle overturning multiple times. The precise circumstances surrounding the incident are presently under investigation, as outlined in the release.
The Colorado State Patrol, responsible for investigating the matter, stressed that all potential causes for the crash remain under scrutiny, including speed, impairment, and other sources of distraction.
Two additional members of the men’s swimming and diving team sustained injuries that were fortunately not life-threatening and have since been discharged from medical care. Notably, one of the survivors was operating the vehicle at the time of the accident, which occurred shortly before 2:45 p.m.
Per the Colorado State Patrol’s report, the Toyota RAV4, carrying five individuals, veered off the left side of a southbound lane and flipped several times, resulting in the ejection of two occupants.
While the victims were associated with the university’s swimming team, it’s essential to clarify that they were not believed to be traveling for an official university-related function.
University of Wyoming President Ed Seidel expressed profound grief, recognizing the enormity of the tragedy for the university, the state, and the wider student-athlete community. He underscored the limitations of language in conveying the depth of sorrow experienced.
Tom Burman, the Director of Athletics at UW, offered thoughts and prayers to the impacted student-athletes, coaches, families, and friends, acknowledging the challenge of losing members of the university community. Burman also assured the availability of counseling services for student-athletes and coaches during this trying period.
Governor Mark Gordon of Wyoming, together with his spouse, extended condolences, acknowledging the gravity of the tragic loss. He urged everyone to keep the families, friends, and loved ones of the deceased in their thoughts during this exceedingly difficult time.
