Bowling Fundraiser Planned for Accident Survivor "Thorny" Thorngate

Friends of Thomas "Thorny" Thorngate, the lone survivor of a car accident in South Dakota, will hold a bowling fundraiser at 8 p.m. tonight at Continental Lanes in Roseville. 

Thorngate was on a pheasant hunting trip with friends and fellow Shriners on Nov. 7, 2012, when he was involved in the accident. The vehicle he was riding in was struck by a semi-truck. Passengers William Petrocy, Nikolaos Andreopoulos and Ledger Frasard were killed.

Thorngate was initially transported to Minnesota for treatment, before returning to Michigan.

He is now recovering at home in St. Clair Shores, where he is receiving physical therapy and recovering form his injuries including a crushed pelvis, broken collar bone and a ruptured spleen.

"He is a miracle," said Dawn Gaines, a friend of the Thorngate. "Just to have him get up and walk to the kitchen or bedroom (in his house) is a miracle."

Tickets are $25 at the door, and includes three games of 9 pin no-tap bowling, cosmic bowling, shoe rental, two slices of pizza and a small pop. There will also be a number of raffles, door prizes and 50/50 drawings.