TX - Virginia Honefenger, 57, dies in DUI golf cart ride, 5 June 2005

[Txswthrt5]

This man is being Charged with Intoxicated Manslaughter in the death of his wife. She fell out of a GOLF CART that he was driving. In a gated subdivision where Golf Carts are the main mode of transportation within the gates. He failed a field sobriety test, the blood tests are not yet available

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/3214039

Do you believe this man should be charged?

Legally, he can be charged, considering he was operating a motor vehicle, on a public street, intoxicated, and a death resulted... BUT - If you were on a jury, what would you think?

I think it is a tragedy, but I do not hold the husband responsible. JMO

 

[sharon25]

IMO, It's not different than driving a car drunk.
What if he hit a child crossing the street?
He made a sharp turn which caused his wife
to fall out of the golf cart.

 

[golfmom]

I had a friend who made national news when he arrested a man for driving his lawn mower intoxicated.

The case was dismissed. I didn't think it should have been because the man was not driving the lawn mower on his lawn or any other!

 

[lisag]

IMO, It's not different than driving a car drunk.
What if he hit a child crossing the street?
He made a sharp turn which caused his wife
to fall out of the golf cart.

I agree.

 

[Txswthrt5]

Here is my thought process on this...

Back in my younger days, a group of my friends and I got together for a 4th of July party - we were drinking and having fun. When it was time for the fireworks a few blocks away, we all piled into one pickup truck and headed down. I was in the back, and because I had a dress on, I sat up on the toolbox in the back of the truck, so I didnt have to sit in the bed and show everyone my panties - lol. Turned out to be a bad move. I was somewhat intoxicated, and when the driver turned out of the cul de sac we were on, the rayon skirt and the metal toolbox decided to betray me. I slid off the toolbox and onto the road beside the truck (Everyone saw my panties anyway!). I sustained a minor concussion and multiple lacerations and contusions. Do I think the guy driving should have been charged? NOPE. I chose to sit there, I chose not to grab onto the girl beside me when I felt myself start to slide.... These are the risks you take when you choose to rind in such a vehicle, without safety restraints or doors to keep you in.

Secondly - I have ridden up and down hills in a golf cart, around sharp turns, into a lake...and have NEVER fallen out. As long as I was holding the metal bar in front of me, I stayed in the cart. I do not believe the husband was negligent, nor do I believe the wife was. I think it was a tragic accident, and the husband will think twice about drinking at the golf course again. But I do not believe he should be held liable. He has lost enough as it is.

 

[FrostOwl]

September 2005:
Husband not indicted in fatal golf cart fall