Stuart woman drives golf cart through outdoor dining area in downtown Jensen Beach

Posted by Admin October 22, 2024 Golf

MARTIN COUNTY − A Stuart woman drove a golf cart through the dining area of a restaurant in downtown Jensen Beach causing minor injuries, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were called around 6:30 p.m. Saturday evening to Tako Tiki, a restaurant in the 3300 block of Northeast Pineapple Avenue, because of reports a woman drove a golf cart onto the patio dining area full of people enjoying dinner, said sheriff’s Capt. Ruben Romero. He said the golf cart got up to the dining area by using the handicap ramp.

“This golf cart just happened to be perfectly parked in front of this handicap ramp, so when the woman turned it on and hit the gas, it went straight forward and struck the people having dinner,” Romero said.

He said according to reports from the restaurant owner, the tables and chairs are made of sturdy wood, so it took most of the impact.

No injuries were life-threatening. Three people were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries, according to Martin County Fire Rescue spokesperson Cory Pippin.

“According to the lady that was driving it, she in fact, did not know how to drive a golf cart,” Romero said. “She was there with a friend. She was trying to turn the golf cart on, and her statements are that when she turned it on, it immediately just started going forward.”

Romero said they did a sobriety test on the woman driving the golf cart, and she passed. He said she received citations for no insurance, careless driving, and driving an unregistered motor vehicle.

“We don’t know how the golf cart got there. We believe one of the employees from Ocean Breeze Resort drove it there. Not sure how she got into it or why,” Romero said. “I think they were some sort of acquaintances – her and the gentleman who claimed to be the owner of the golf cart – but we’re still trying to sort that out.”

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