In May 2021, Daniel took a trip to Grand Bend beach with some friends. Later that same day, one of his friends asked him to dive with him off of a nearby pier. After seeing his friend dive safely into the lake, he followed and struck something head first underwater, paralyzing him from the neck down. 

His injury has resulted in increased infection, spasticity, pain, a major loss of muscle function, sensation, temperature and blood pressure regulation, bowel and bladder control, and sexual function.