Golf cart accidents are usually an unwelcome sight in the Villages: They can cause serious, life-changing injuries and even death. A recent crash, however, should come as welcome news to Villagers whose cars have recently been broken into.
A 39-year-old ex-convict living in the Villages was arrested in November on suspicion of being involved in a string of car burglaries, the Villages-News reports. He was apprehended after crashing the golf cart that cops say he used to carry out the break-ins.
The man is accused of breaking into several vehicles in the Danforth Court area in the Village of Summerhill, not far from his home, on Veteran’s Day. He is believed to have crashed his golf cart into a wall along Camino Real the following day.
“Most of the vehicles had been ransacked and only loose change was stolen,” Villages-News reports. “However, one vehicle owner reported her pool cue valued at $200 had been stolen. In addition, the owner of a 2020 Chevrolet Camaro reported that the vehicle’s canvas convertible top had been cut, with damage estimated at $2,000.”
The man was arrested in 2011 in Lake County on fraud, larceny and dealing in stolen goods charges, according to the news outlet. He served 76 days in state prison on a more than two-year sentence after being convicted.
Police said they are continuing to look into the break-ins.
“The investigation is still ongoing, additional charges may be forthcoming,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office has recovered multiple items that had been discarded during the incident and are attempting to locate the owners of these items.”
Golf Cart Accidents Pose Serious Risk
While this particular crash came with a silver lining, golf cart accidents causing significant injuries are all too common in the Villages and across Florida.
Whether it is because of speed, drinking and driving or simply not paying enough attention to the road ahead, golf cart crashes can and do happen. Drivers and passengers are at particular risk of injury - or even death - because carts provide less physical protection than other vehicles and are prone to rolling over.
Anyone who is injured in a golf cart accident in the Villages has the right to seek monetary damages from those responsible. That includes compensation for medical bills, property damage and other impacts of the crash. The family members of a person who dies in a golf cart collision can seek similar 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, auto or other accident, it is vital to seek the advice of an experienced injury attorney. Villages 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 accident attorney.
