CHARLEVOIX- On April 27, 2025, Charlevoix junior Joe Gaffney’s life changed dramatically when the van carrying him and his golf teammates was struck by a driver in a stolen car fleeing police.

The crash resulted in severe injuries for Gaffney, including a crushed pelvis, ruptured diaphragm, and collapsed lung, necessitating a life-saving 10-hour surgery at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.

“There’s really no specific reason why these things happen to certain people. But it does,” Gaffney reflected on the incident.

Investigators later determined that the driver intentionally hit the van, adding a layer of tragedy to the already devastating event.

Gaffney’s recovery journey began with his release from the ICU ten days after the accident, followed by extensive rehabilitation to rele

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