The Bethel University Volleyball team bus was in a serious vehicle accident outside of Whitewater, Wisconsin, on Saturday, October 13. The Sheriff’s Office in Rock County, Wisconsin, has reported that just after 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, two young adults in a separate car died after their car crossed the centerline on a rural road and hit the coach bus carrying the Bethel volleyball team.
Macie Gavic, a right hitter for the Bethel Royals, is a 2017 graduate of St. Michael-Albertville High School.
On board was St. Michael-Albertville graduate Macie Gavic, a right side hitter for the Royals. She, the rest of the Bethel volleyball team, bus driver and coaches were not injured. For more details on the vehicle accident, please contact the Rock County Sheriff’s Office (608-757-8000).
After the accident, the volleyball team was transported to a local hotel where they stayed the night. They returned to Bethel University on Sunday afternoon.
“We praise God that our team members, coaches, and bus driver were spared serious injury in this horrific accident,” says Bethel University Athletic Director Bob Bjorklund. “At the same time, we remember the two individuals who died during this crash, and especially remember and pray for their friends and families at this tragic time.”
Pastoral and counseling staff from Bethel were on hand when the team returned to campus and will provide support to the students throughout the coming weeks.
“I expect that this is going to hit our players in different ways and at different times. There is anxiety, there is grief, and there is gratefulness all wound up together, and it’s going to take some time to process all of that,” said Gretchen Hunt, women’s volleyball coach and associate athletic director. “We are deeply grieving for the friends and families of the crash victims.”
According to the Wisconsin State Journal, the crash occurred on Highway N west of Highway KK in the town of Lima, Wisconsin. A Honda Civic, driven by a 20-year-old woman from Waterford, was traveling east on Highway N when the car crossed over into the westbound lane and struck the chartered bus. The driver and her passenger, a 22-year-old man from Whitewater, died at the scene, according to the sheriff’s office. Names have not been released.