7-year-old killed by golf cart driven by 3-year-old brother in Buckingham

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The site of a deadly golf cart crash at a property on Orange River Boulevard, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. Credit: WINK News

A 7-year-old boy is dead after being struck by a golf cart driven by his 3-year-old brother near a home on Orange River Boulevard in Buckingham.

The Florida Highway Patrol told WINK News the two children are siblings.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 3-year-old was driving a golf cart on the private property lot of an Orange River Boulevard address. It was traveling north, approaching a right curve near the residence.

The 7-year-old boy was standing in the front yard of the address when the golf cart crashed into him. He sustained critical injuries, was transported to an area hospital and was pronounced dead.

The crash remains under investigation.

Local attorney Jill Prenger said it was a terrible accident.

For that reason, she doesn’t see the owners of the golf cart or private property facing criminal charges. Prenger said if anyone would face charges, it would be the parents, but given the circumstances, it’s hard to see how it would play out.

“I am having a hard time coming up with criminal charges that would actually come into play. The only thing I can really think of is culpable negligence and child neglect,” Prenger said.

Child neglect is a third-degree felony. Culpable negligence, in this case, would be a first-degree misdemeanor.

Florida Highway Patrol told WINK News that they are still trying to figure out if the 7-year-old was in the golf cart at some point and how the 3-year-old was able to power the golf cart.

“That’s an unspeakable tragedy and our hearts and our prayers go out to this family,” said Lt. Greg Bueno with FHP.

Bueno said that investigators will determine if charges are appropriate.

Another open question is if the older brother was in the golf cart at some point.

What FHP will say is that there’s a lesson to be learned from this unimaginable tragedy.

“As parents or adults, we want to make sure that any time there is access to any form of a motor vehicle such as a golf cart, an ATV, that we have extreme parental oversight,” Bueno said. “What our goal is now is how did this tragedy occur? What led up to it and obviously what lessons are learned here that we can share with the community.”

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