Friday evening, September 5, 2025, the Marquette University community was shattered by a devastating crash that claimed the lives of two promising young men, Scott Michaud and Noah Snyder. The collision, which occurred just after 5 p.m. at the intersection of North 27th Street and West St. Paul Avenue, mere blocks from campus, left a trail of grief and a community searching for answers.
Scott Michaud, a 19-year-old sophomore from Springboro, Ohio, was a biomedical sciences major and a standout goalie for the Marquette men’s lacrosse team. Known for his quick reflexes and academic prowess, he had already earned a spot on the BIG EAST All-Academic Team with a 3.0 GPA in his freshman year. Noah Snyder, 20, from Getzville, New York, was a business administration student and a skilled attackman, celebrated for his offensive contributions and deep pride in his Seneca Nation heritage. A member of the Haudenosaunee Nationals U20 team, Noah carried his cultural values with grace, leaving an indelible mark on those who knew him.
The two were among six passengers in a vehicle struck by a truck driven by Amandria Brunner, a 41-year-old Milwaukee woman. Authorities arrested Brunner at the scene on suspicion of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, a charge that has sent shockwaves through the city. The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office is still reviewing the case, with formal charges pending as the investigation unfolds. Brunner’s bail has been set at $1.5 million, reflecting the gravity of the incident.
Four other students in the vehicle, three of whom were also lacrosse players, sustained injuries but were spared life-threatening harm. They received treatment at local hospitals, where medical teams worked swiftly to stabilize them. The crash, described as a violent collision, has reignited concerns about reckless driving in Milwaukee, a city already grappling with speeding, illegal street takeovers, and pedestrian safety issues. As of September 5, at least 39 people had died in crashes in Milwaukee in 2025, a 25% decrease from the previous year, yet still a stark reminder of the dangers on the city’s streets.
Marquette University President Dr. Kimo Ah Yun addressed the tragedy in a heartfelt letter to the campus community, calling the loss “difficult to comprehend.” He urged students, faculty, and staff to keep the families of Noah and Scott in their prayers, emphasizing the profound impact the two had on their teammates and peers. The university canceled all home athletic events for the weekend and opened the Alumni Memorial Union’s Lunda Room and Henke Lounge for communal grieving. A mass held on Saturday, September 6, at the Varsity Theatre drew hundreds, offering a space for reflection and unity in the face of unimaginable sorrow.
The Marquette men’s lacrosse team, still reeling, shared their grief on social media, honoring their fallen teammates and supporting their injured brothers. “Noah and Scott’s lives were taken too soon,” the team wrote, echoing the sentiments of a campus community now bound by shared loss. Counseling and pastoral support have been made available, as students like junior journalism major Benjamin Hanson describe the pain of losing peers who were “just beginning their young adult lives.”
As Milwaukee mourns, the crash serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of impaired driving. For the families of Scott Michaud and Noah Snyder, the pain is personal—a void left by two young men whose futures were bright with promise. The city, the university, and a nation of lacrosse fans now hold their breath, awaiting justice and hoping for healing in the wake of this preventable tragedy.