Florida couple on anniversary in TN dies in crash with stolen car, loved ones say
A Florida couple celebrating their wedding anniversary with a trip to Nashville was killed when a stolen car crashed into their taxi, according to Tennessee police and loved ones.
Kathy Granfors, 68, died at the scene of the crash, while her husband, 64-year-old Kirk Granfors, died at a hospital, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said April 4.
The couple was riding in the back of a taxi at around 2:40 a.m. April 4 when a stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee crashed into them at a high speed while the taxi had a green light, according to police.
The driver of the stolen Jeep is believed to be 37-year-old George Chaney, who had felony convictions and had recently bonded out of jail, police said.
Chaney tried to flee the crash scene on foot, but his injuries prevented him from getting far, police said. Chaney and the taxi driver were both hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to law enforcement.
The Jeep was reported stolen in February, and it had been spray-painted a different color since it was taken, investigators said.
Chaney was last arrested a month before the fatal crash when he was accused of leading law enforcement on a 100 mph chase in a stolen Dodge Charger with fake tags. He was charged with felony reckless endangerment with a vehicle, evading arrest, auto theft, reckless driving, altering a license tag and driving on a suspended license, police said.
He was on parole at the time of the March 2 incident and paid $49,000 bond to get out of jail, according to law enforcement.
The married couple from Jacksonville was in Nashville celebrating their wedding anniversary, Barbara Hurst Jones told WJXT.
“Kathy just had a spark about her. She was just so much fun,” Hurst Jones told the outlet. “Kirk loved Kathy so much, and Kirk was a big sports fan.”
Hurst Jones wrote on Facebook that she had known Kathy Granfors since they were 4 years old, and they were part of a trio of three best friends.
“I feel like I’m not living in reality, like I’m trapped in a world that isn’t real,” Hurst Jones wrote on social media.
Another family friend wrote that the couple was known as loving grandparents.
“These two were familiar faces at the Jax Beach baseball field supporting their grandsons and all their teammates,” Hayley Raiford wrote in a GoFundMe post. “Kathy was the best cheerleader in the stands with her signature ‘This one’s yours!’ to every batter after their first two strikes.”
Investigators in Nashville said they’re working to find out if there were other passengers in the Jeep, as Chaney was the only one at the scene when they arrived.
This story was originally published April 7, 2025 at 1:56 PM with the headline "Florida couple on anniversary in TN dies in crash with stolen car, loved ones say."