September 5, 2025, started like any other Friday afternoon on a college campus. Students were winding down, making weekend plans, and maybe thinking about the upcoming lacrosse season. Then, around 5:00 p.m., everything changed. A horrific Marquette University car crash at the intersection of North 27th Street and West St. Paul Avenue shattered the community. Honestly, it's the kind of news that makes your stomach drop.
Two young men, Scott Michaud and Noah Snyder, didn't make it home that night. They were just 19 and 20 years old. Sophomores. Athletes with their whole lives ahead of them.
The Details of the September 5th Crash
The facts are pretty sobering. A 41-year-old driver slammed into a vehicle carrying six people. Most of them were members of the Marquette men's lacrosse team. Noah Snyder, an attackman from Getzville, New York, and Scott Michaud, a goalie from Springboro, Ohio, were pronounced dead at the scene. It’s heavy. Really heavy.
Four other people in that car were hurt. Three of them were also lacrosse players. Luckily, their injuries weren't life-threatening, but the mental scars? Those don't heal as fast as a broken bone.
What led to the accident?
The investigation moved fast. Police arrested the 41-year-old driver shortly after the collision. Later, search warrants revealed some pretty disturbing details. The driver allegedly admitted to drinking "Steel Reserves"—high-gravity IPAs—before getting behind the wheel.
Court documents noted the driver had:
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- Bloodshot and glassy eyes.
- Slurred speech.
- Poor balance during field sobriety tests (failing 14 out of 18 indicators).
- A prior OWI conviction from way back in 2003.
It’s frustrating. People in Milwaukee have been screaming about reckless driving for years. This wasn't just a "wrong place, wrong time" situation; it was a choice made by a driver that cost two families their sons.
The Impact on the Marquette Community
The campus went quiet. You could feel it in the air. President Kimo Ah Yun released a statement that felt genuinely raw, calling the loss "difficult to comprehend." The university didn't just send an email and move on. They cancelled all home athletic events that weekend. They held a Mass at the Varsity Theatre.
Students did what they do best: they showed up for each other.
Sidewalks in front of the St. Joan of Arc Chapel were covered in chalk messages. Heartwarming notes. Prayers. It’s a small gesture, but seeing that much support in one place is powerful. Both Noah and Scott were high achievers, too. They’d both made the BIG EAST All-Academic Team. They weren't just "players" on a roster; they were the kind of students professors actually remember.
Reckless driving in Milwaukee
We have to talk about the bigger picture. This Marquette University car crash isn't an isolated incident in the city. Milwaukee has a massive problem with speeding and "the Milwaukee Slide"—where drivers zip around traffic using the bike lane or parking lane.
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Just this year, dozens of people have died in crashes across the city. While the numbers are technically down about 25% from last year, that doesn't mean much when you're looking at a memorial service for two college kids.
Other Recent Incidents Near Campus
If you go to Marquette, you know the streets can feel like a gauntlet. Just this week, on January 14, 2026, an EagleExpress van was hit. This is the school’s free rideshare service meant to keep kids safe. A stolen vehicle being chased by police near 17th and Wisconsin clipped the van at 2:30 a.m.
Two students were inside. Fortunately, they only had minor injuries and didn't even go to the hospital. But the suspects fled on foot before being caught. It’s just... constant.
Then there was the January 2025 incident where a car literally flipped over near Carpenter Tower. Or the 2021 tragedy where the Dean of the College of Business, Joe Daniels, was killed in a hit-and-run.
It feels like every few months, there’s a new headline about a Marquette University car crash.
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Why is this happening?
The layout of the city doesn't help. Wisconsin Avenue is a major artery. People treat it like a highway. Plus, the construction at 16th and Wisconsin for the new Business School building (now finished) and the ongoing 16th Street Viaduct repairs create bottlenecks and confusion.
When you mix construction, high-speed chases, and intoxicated drivers, you get a recipe for disaster.
Staying Safe: What Can Students Actually Do?
Look, you can't control a drunk driver or a stolen car. That’s the scary part. But you can minimize your risk. The university pushes the "EagleEye" app for a reason. Use the Friend Walk feature. If you’re crossing 27th or Wisconsin, don't look at your phone. Seriously.
- Assume drivers won't stop. Even if you have the "Walk" sign, wait a beat. Make eye contact with the driver in the first lane.
- Avoid 27th Street at night if you can. It’s a high-traffic area with a history of accidents.
- Call MUPD for a ride. If it’s late and you’re alone, don't walk. The EagleExpress is there for a reason, even with the occasional long wait times.
The loss of Scott Michaud and Noah Snyder still weighs on the team. You see their numbers on helmets and lockers. It’s a reminder that life is fragile.
If you are struggling with the news of these accidents or feeling unsafe on campus, talk to someone. The Counseling Center at (414) 288-7172 is open 24/7. You don't have to carry that anxiety by yourself.
Next Steps for Campus Safety:
- Download the EagleEye app and set up your emergency contacts today.
- Sign up for MUPD safety alerts to stay informed about active traffic incidents or police activity.
- Attend the next University Safety Town Hall to voice concerns about pedestrian infrastructure on 16th and 27th Streets.