PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Eight people were hospitalized with serious injuries after being ejected from a golf cart in a rollover crash with another vehicle in Pasco County on Saturday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Officials said a 43-year-old Wesley Chapel man was driving a golf cart east on Elam Road in a golf cart lane around 6:15 p.m. with his wife, their five children, and a 16-year-old neighbor.
WATCH: Wesley Chapel family among 8 hospitalized after golf cart crash; mother remains in ICU
West of Callow Ford Drive, the golf cart driver attempted to make a U-turn and was struck by a 17-year-old girl who was driving a Honda Accord, according to an FHP news release.
The golf cart overturned, and all eight occupants were ejected. The Honda came to rest along the shoulder of the road, partially in a nearby pond, FHP said.
All eight occupants of the golf cart were taken to local hospitals with serious injuries, according to FHP. The Pasco Sheriff's Office said some of the victims were airlifted by a Bayflite helicopter.
The driver of the Honda, along with her 17-year-old female passenger, was not injured in the crash.
Kay Nass posted a GoFundMe saying her sister, Amy, and her brother-in-law, Chris, along with four of their five children and a neighbor, were on the golf cart and taken to the hospital with serious injuries. FHP says 8 people were on the golf cart — 7 family members and 1 neighbor — though Nass accounted for 6 family members and 1 neighbor. It remains unclear who the 8th person on the golf cart was. Over the phone, Nass told Tampa Bay 28 reporter Annette Gutierrez that Amy remains sedated in the ICU, Chris is awake but severely concussed, and one of their children is recovering from a skull fracture in the hospital. The rest have been released.
Neighbors said they were surprised to hear about the crash because golf carts and cars sharing the road is common in the area.
"Our hearts grieve for the families who are dealing with injuries," Cameron Jenkins, a neighbor, said.
"No parent, no grandparent wants to receive a phone call that their child, or grandchild has been involved in any type of accident," Jenkins said.
Jenkins has lived in the area for almost two years and says the community was designed to accommodate golf carts.
"In this area the sidewalks are larger, much larger than you would see like in the city perhaps. So that's intentional, for people to walk, run, jog, cycling also for golf carts to be there, but the main thing is is to be there in a safe way, and I think that's the most important piece," Jenkins said.
Florida law states that golf carts can be driven on roadways with a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less. Back in 2023, Florida created stricter guidelines on who can drive a golf cart on public roads. Those under 18 need a learner's permit; those 18 and older don't need a driver's license to operate a golf cart, but everyone is required to have a government-issued ID.
Nass said she is asking for prayers and for people to focus on the healing of her family over placing judgment on what happened. There are no charges, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Share Your Story with Annette
If you live in Wesley Chapel or the surrounding area, Annette Gutierrez is here for you. She’s focused on finding solutions and getting results for our neighbors, so send Annette tips on how she can help.
.
TPD chief's memo: Assistant police chief fired over missed meetings, resistance to new firearms
Ruth Cate's claims of discrimination and retribution were determined to be "unfounded" in the city's month-long HR investigation.
