Golfing enthusiasts in Tennessee and elsewhere often enjoy a day riding in a golf cart, having a few drinks and conquering the golf course. However, what many people might not realize is that driving around the course while drinking comes with the same penalties as driving on any roadway. If an accident occurs and someone is injured, the driver could face vehicular assault and other charges.
An out-of-state woman and her husband were enjoying a day at a Tennessee golf club on a recent Saturday night when the husband fell out of the golf cart. When emergency medical personnel arrived, they determined that the man needed to be taken to an area hospital via helicopter due to the serious nature of his injuries. By Monday evening around 8 p.m., he succumbed to his injuries.
While medical personnel attempted to save her husband's life, the Illinois woman was arrested. Officers with the Gallatin Police Department claim that the woman was intoxicated at the time of the accident. They claim to have found several open beer cans in the golf cart. She currently faces charges of DUI first offense, vehicular assault and implied consent. However, additional charges could be added once the investigation is complete.
Not only has this woman lost her husband, but now she is also facing criminal proceedings in connection with the accident and his death. Her situation could become more precarious if the vehicular assault charge is upgraded to vehicular homicide now that her husband has died. As would be the case for anyone in her position, it is likely in her best interest to enlist the assistance of a criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible in order to protect her rights, review the evidence prosecutors intend to present to the court and prepare her defense.
Source: tennessean.com, "Man dies in Gallatin after golf cart fall; wife charged with DUI", Tena Lee, July 21, 2016