A Villages man lost his driving privileges for half a year after a recent golf cart accident.
The 74-year-old Village of Caroline resident pleaded no contest to a charge of driving under the influence for his role in the crash, Villages-News reports. The man reportedly slammed his golf cart into the back of another cart, which had slowed for pedestrians crossing ahead.
A witness told cops who arrived on the scene that the driver appeared to be intoxicated. “Just talk to him and you will see,” the witness reportedly said to a police officer.
The officer reported smelling alcohol when he approached the driver, whose eyes were bloodshot and who was slurring his speech. The driver, who said he had consumed two or three beers, submitted to breathalyzer tests that showed his blood alcohol content was at least 0.104%. That is over the legal limit of 0.08% for operating cars, golf carts, and other motor vehicles in Florida.
The woman in the golf cart that was struck was fortunate to walk away without serious injuries. Her aluminum walker was said to be damaged in the collision, however.
These kinds of accidents are all too common in The Villages, where golf carts are a popular mode of transportation. Sadly, people routinely get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
A 56-year-old Village of DeLuna woman was busted for DUI, for example, after a March crash in which she reportedly rammed her golf cart into a minivan in Pinellas Plaza. The woman “admitted she had consumed four rum and cokes before getting into her golf cart and leaving Lake Sumter Landing,” according to Villages-News.
Injured in a Golf Cart Crash? Know Your Rights
More than 130 golf cart accidents happen in The Villages every year, according to a 2023 study by the Taylor & Francis Group. These collisions leave 65 people with injuries serious enough to send them to the hospital, and another nine dead or disabled, on average, per year.
Anyone who is injured in a golf cart crash has the right to seek compensation from those responsible. That includes negligent drivers and 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 Attorney Can Help You
If you or a loved one has been injured in a golf cart or other accident, it is vital to seek the advice of an experienced lawyer. Villages golf cart accident attorney 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 attorney.
