A pair of drunk driving golf cart crashes in the Villages are an unfortunate reminder of the hazard posed by people who decide to get behind the wheel while intoxicated.
A 66-year-old Village of Sunset Pointe man recently had his driver’s license revoked for six months, following a golf cart accident in which his wife was thrown from the vehicle, Villages-News reports. The man, who pleaded no contest to a driving under the influence charge, was also sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to perform 50 hours of community service.
Meanwhile, an 81-year-old Village of Hadley man is facing a similar DUI charge stemming from a collision involving two golf carts in late January. The man, who pleaded not guilty, was also ticketed for careless driving, according to Villages-News.
Both golf cart drivers exhibited signs of intoxication when police arrived on the scene, according to news reports.
The Sunset Pointe man “performed poorly” on field sobriety tests, police said, after admitting that he had been drinking at dinner. Cops also found two containers in the vehicle’s center console that contained clear liquid with the “odor of an alcoholic beverage,” an officer said in a police report.
Breath samples showed the man had a blood alcohol content of as much as 0.10, more than the legal limit of 0.08.
The Village of Hadley man “did not understand basic questions such as the area code for his phone number,” police said in an arrest report. An officer “could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his person while at a conversational distance,” the report continued.
The man was “unable” to complete a breath test and declined to provide a blood sample, police said.
Injured in DUI Golf Cart Accident? Know Your Rights
As these two incidents make clear, anyone who drives a golf cart while intoxicated faces the same DUI charges imposed on car, truck and other drivers who operate vehicles under the influence.
Drunk golf cart drivers are also likely to be responsible for any injuries that they cause in a crash. This is completely separate from any criminal prosecution against the drunk driver.
A person injured in a drunk driving accident is entitled to compensation from those responsible. The money damages in these cases include compensation for medical bills, property damage and other impacts of the crash. In the tragic event that a person dies in a golf cart accident, his or her loved ones can seek compensation for wrongful death.
Speak with a Villages Golf Cart Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a golf cart crash caused by a drunk or negligent driver, it is important that you have an experienced personal injury attorney in your corner.
Villages golf cart accident lawyer Tim Babiarz has been fighting for people injured in golf cart and other accidents for more than two decades. Tim has a strong track record of success getting his clients the full compensation available for their injuries.
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.
