A 64-year-old St. Johns County man accused of driving drunk in a Nocatee golf cart crash that killed his wife will not face felony charges, according to his attorney. Instead, the case has been worked down to misdemeanor counts and roughly six months of probation.
In a statement to News4JAX, the attorney said he negotiated a resolution with the State Attorney's Office that avoids upgraded felony charges. He did not say whether his client would plead guilty as part of that deal.
The crash happened late on Nov. 30 at the intersection of Recollection Drive and Dawes Avenue. Deputies say the woman, who was riding on the cart, fell off and struck her head. She was airlifted to a hospital and later died.
An arrest report obtained by ClickOrlando shows the driver was charged with DUI and refusal to submit to chemical testing. Officers noted he had bloodshot, watery eyes and that they could smell alcohol from about three feet away.
State Law And DUI Liability
Under Florida law, a golf cart is treated as a type of motor vehicle when it is being driven on public roads or designated paths. The state’s DUI statute applies to anyone who is "driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle," and prosecutors can pursue elevated charges, including DUI manslaughter, when impairment leads to a death.
Those definitions and penalties are laid out in Florida Statutes §316.003 and §316.193.
Neighbors Call Golf Paths 'Very Unsafe'
People who live near the crash site say the tragedy did not come out of nowhere. Residents told reporters they have worried for months about fast-moving carts and drivers skipping signs on the neighborhood’s greenway system.
One neighbor described the paths as "very unsafe" and said people often "blow right through" temporary markings the community recently painted, according to ClickOrlando. Local cart-safety shops and residents say better speed control, clearer markings and stricter enforcement could cut down on the risks.
What Happens Next In The Case
The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit remains the lead investigator. Court filings will ultimately show whether the negotiated misdemeanor outcome holds once the case plays out in front of a judge.
According to the attorney's statement to News4JAX, the defendant is expected to face misdemeanor charges and a probation term rather than felony counts, although prosecutors have not publicly laid out their full reasoning. Neighbors say the case has renewed calls for more enforcement on Nocatee's heavily used cart routes.
