Joey Kauppi already knew his Dad wouldn't be able to attend his graduation from George County High School last Friday night.
What he didn't know was who would.
Gautier firefighter Lt. Dan Kauppi was seriously injured in an accident a little over a month ago. On his way to work, Kauppi's truck left the roadway on Gautier-Vancleave Road and overturned, ejected Kauppi from the vehicle. The accident left him with a badly damaged knee and head injuries, including bleeding in his brain. After being taken to Singing River Hospital, he was transported to the University of South Alabama Medical Center in Mobile and is now at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, which specializes in spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation.