JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — A golf cart crashed into the front of Mango’s Beach Bar Sunday night.
Some patrons caught the aftermath of the crash on video:
A golf cart crashed into the front of Mango’s Beach Bar Sunday night.
— Elizabeth Pace (@PaceAnJax) December 9, 2019
Police say 3 people were hit and expected to be okay. The driver was arrested for a DUI. @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/xyJmyLst6B
Jacksonville Beach Police arrested an alleged drunk driver after he admitted to crashing a golf cart into the front of Mango’s Beach Bar in Jacksonville Beach Sunday evening.
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According to the arrest report, the crash happened around 10:45 p.m. on Sunday. Witnesses told Action News Jax they observed the driver, William Halford, drinking for several hours at the bar prior. Halford voluntarily told police, “I drove it. I was trying to back it out for them.” He said the owner of the golf cart was sitting in the passenger seat.
“I noticed a guy getting in a golf cart,” witness Richard Dressell said. “When he got in the golf cart, I guess he was moving it for somebody else, but he thought it was in reverse, apparently it was in drive.”
According to the police report, William Halford admitted to crashing the golf cart. The later failed a field sobriety test.
— Elizabeth Pace (@PaceAnJax) December 9, 2019
He was arrested for a DUI, careless driving, and property damage. pic.twitter.com/mUPYJvAQJo
The golf cart crashed through a front wall made of glass. Police said three people were hit by the golf cart and suffered minor injuries. The driver was not hurt. Dressell said his friend helped the victims while he kept track of the driver.
“The guy that actually drove through tried to get out of the golf cart and walk off. That’s when I told the bouncers here at Mango’s, I said, ‘Hey that’s the guy that was driving the truck. You got to get him.’”
The arresting officer said he found Halford with “bloodshot and watery” eyes. As he continued talking to him, he said, “The odor of alcoholic beverages grew stronger.”
The officer conducted a field sobriety test and said Halford failed. He was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, careless driving, disregard of attendant circumstances and property damages, personal injury.
Jacksonville Beach Police said the same traffic laws apply to golf carts. To operate this vehicle on a pubic roadway, the driver must be 16 years or older with a valid driver’s license, must be insured with personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL), and can only operate low speed vehicles on roadways where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less.
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