A Villages resident recently flipped his golf cart in an apparent drunk driving accident that underscores the ongoing risk that comes with getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol.
A 61-year-old Village of Dabney resident wrecked his golf cart after overturning it in a roundabout at St. Catherine Circle and Meggison Road in the Village of Citrus Grove, Villages-News reports. The man reportedly told a Wildwood police officer who arrived on the scene that he had been drinking before the crash.
“The officer spotted a smashed alcohol container and a Dos Equis bottle cap on the ground behind the golf cart,” according to Villages-News. “There was also an open, cold alcoholic beverage inside the cart within arm’s reach of the driver’s seat.”
The man was taken into police custody after he refused to participate in field sobriety exercises. He reportedly argued with the officer and medical staff after being transported to the UF Health Emergency Room Clinic at Brownwood. The man eventually provided breath samples, which registered his blood alcohol content at 0.213% and 0.215%. That is well over the legal limit of 0.08%.
He was charged with DUI and booked at the Sumter County Detention Center.
These kinds of situations are all too common across the Villages, where drunk golf cart drivers pose a serious threat.
A 55-year-old Village of Amelia woman - and former New York City police officer - was charged with DUI earlier this year, for example. The woman, who told officers she lost control of the vehicle and fell out of it while taking a turn too fast, had been found lying in the street with a head injury.
Injured in DUI Golf Cart Crash? Here is What You Should Know
More than 800 people are killed every year in Florida in accidents involving alcohol impaired drivers, according to data from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Pedestrians, bicyclists and people in golf carts are especially at risk, since they have little or no physical protection from oncoming traffic.
Anyone who is injured in a golf cart crash has the right to seek compensation from those responsible. That includes intoxicated or otherwise negligent drivers, as well as their insurers.
In the tragic case that a person dies in an accident, his or her loved ones can seek similar compensation through a wrongful death claim. While no amount of money can ever replace a loved one, compensation can help ease some of the financial strain that often comes with losing a loved one.
How a Villages Golf Cart Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a golf cart, car, truck, motorcycle, or other accident, it is vital to seek the advice of an experienced lawyer. Villages golf cart accident lawyer Tim Babiarz has been fighting for people and families across the community for more than two decades.
Our office is conveniently located in the Villages. We are also proud to represent clients throughout the area, including in Ocala, Leesburg, Lady Lake, Wildwood, Summerfield and beyond. Call (352) 205-7559 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Villages golf cart accident lawyer.
