The Florida Highway Patrol has been called in to investigate an accident in which an SUV struck a golf cart, injuring its two occupants and a man who had been jogging. A Villages woman riding in the golf cart was killed.
The accident occurred at about noon Saturday on the golf cart path that parallels County Road 466A across from Colony Cottage Recreation Center.
Law enforcement was at the scene of the crash for more than six hours. The multi-modal trail was sealed off with yellow crime scene tape.
The male driver of the SUV was believed to have suffered a medical episode and his vehicle, which had been eastbound on CR466A, traveled off the roadway and struck the golf cart which had been carrying two women.
The two women who had been in the golf cart suffered critical injuries, said Lt. Robert Siemer of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
A man who had been running on the multi-modal path suffered injuries when the golf cart was pushed into him.
The runner was Brian Williams, who serves as worship pastor at Heritage Community Church in Fruitland Park. He was transported by ambulance to Ocala Regional Medical Center.
“Brian is beat up and bruised but he is going to be OK,” said Sidney Brock, lead pastor at Heritage Community Church, after visiting Williams at the hospital. “We are praying for the others involved in this accident.”
Brock said the golf cart probably saved Williams’ life, shielding him from what could have been the direct impact of the SUV.
The man who had been driving the SUV was also transported from the scene.
This is the second time this year a golf cart has been hit by a vehicle in which the driver suffered a medical episode. You can read about the previous incident HERE
