Golf Cart Tears Bumper off SUV

[Madelaine Amee]

http://www.**************.com/golf-cart-tears-bumper-van-hit-run-accident-rec-center/?utm_source=News+Update%3A+Wednesday%2C+April+16&utm_campaign=NU%3A+041614&utm_medium=email

This news item maybe old news to many of you, but they are looking for the driver of this hit and run golf cart accident which happened at Bacall Rec Center yesterday, and someone here might know something.

[N44125]

See article...

[graciegirl]

Some grandparent will have the opportunity to teach their grandson to own up to what he did.




Or not.

[golf2140]

Gracie I hope they do. Dick and Joan are just nice folks.

[tommy steam]

I'm all for having a plate on the golf carts. If it cost a little ,so what.

[Madelaine Amee]

Gracie I hope they do. Dick and Joan are just nice folks.

The golf cart involved in this accident must have sustained considerable damage to do what it did to this SUV and the Toyota involved. Someone saw something and whoever owns the cart knows something is very wrong. Leaving the scene of a crime in Florida (hit and run) is considered a felony and someone may be trying to protect whoever did this. Or, they may already be in touch with the police to save further trouble for the driver.

It would appear to be another case of using a golf cart as a toy and not a vehicle.

[CFrance]

I'm all for having a plate on the golf carts. If it cost a little ,so what.

I so agree. But I'm afraid that will never happen in TV. Recently, Fruitland Park abandoned their golf cart registration ordinance, and I'm wondering if the fact that 2000 homes are being built there by TV has anything to do with it. Many TV residents have been lobbying for golf cart registration and ID in the form of a license plate that people can read so that these kinds of drivers can be caught and made to pay for their carelessness. But it seems to be falling on deaf ears here.

Not only are they damaging private property, they are damaging TV property that is maintained by our taxes and fees. What good is it to have cameras at the gates if you can't ID the carts causing the damage? TV needs to step up and make these carts more identifiable.

[Madelaine Amee]

I so agree. But I'm afraid that will never happen in TV. Recently, Fruitland Park abandoned their golf cart registration ordinance, and I'm wondering if the fact that 2000 homes are being built there by TV has anything to do with it. Many TV residents have been lobbying for golf cart registration and ID in the form of a license plate that people can read so that these kinds of drivers can be caught and made to pay for their carelessness. But it seems to be falling on deaf ears here.

Not only are they damaging private property, they are damaging TV property that is maintained by our taxes and fees. What good is it to have cameras at the gates if you can't ID the carts causing the damage? TV needs to step up and make these carts more identifiable.

:BigApplause:

[2BNTV]

I feel sorry for the people this happened to, but it sounds like a young person, who got scared and ran away, in the fleeting hope, he won't get caught. When we were young, foolish and scared out of our minds.

The van was all white, but it's not all right!!!

When this young person calms down, hopefully, he will own up, to his mistakes, and be a mensch.

I sure hope they had insurance to cover this expense. if the young person owns up, he could pay the deductible. Maybe his grandparents, will do the right thing, as they should, especially, if it, was their cart.

[Topspinmo]

Just amazes me how much plastic costs to replace! 5 to 6 k unbelievable. You know if it was made out of metal all there be is a dent!

[CFrance]

Just amazes me how much plastic costs to replace! 5 to 6 k unbelievable. You know if it was made out of metal all there be is a dent!

But I think they said the cart also sideswiped the car on the way to tearing off the bumper.

[VT2TV]

I would LOVE to see some sort of large, easily read ID for all of the golf carts!!!!

[Nipper]

I would LOVE to see some sort of large, easily read ID for all of the golf carts!!!!

This would be great. Just look at all the golf carts that hit the gate arms. The VDD has posted videos asking for these people to be identified.

Village Community Development Districts (http://www.districtgov.org/community/GateArms.aspx)

[buggyone]

For those who want the large ID plates for golf carts, would you want to pay an extra $50 or so each year for it? Since the parking lots at rec centers and the multimodal trails are private property, who would continuously monitor them for violaters? Would you have a Villages Department of Trail Police with the authority somehow to give citations?

[TVMayor]

For those who want the large ID plates for golf carts, would you want to pay an extra $50 or so each year for it? Since the parking lots at rec centers and the multimodal trails are private property, who would continuously monitor them for violaters? Would you have a Villages Department of Trail Police with the authority somehow to give citations?
What ever it cost I am for it.

[EnglishJW]

This would be great. Just look at all the golf carts that hit the gate arms. The VDD has posted videos asking for these people to be identified.

Village Community Development Districts (http://www.districtgov.org/community/GateArms.aspx)

Thanks for posting this. I am astounded at how many people simply break the gates. Have they caught any of the bad drivers shown in these videos?

[buggyone]

What ever it cost I am for it.

Put your thoughts down as how this could be administered and monitored. Do we establish a Villages Trail Police Dept with authority for giving citations on private property? In The Villages, I do not think there are too many residents who want to create more layers of government even in a local situation.

An incorporated town could do that, but not a private development.

[buggyone]

Thanks for posting this. I am astounded at how many people simply break the gates. Have they caught any of the bad drivers shown in these videos?


If you read the information, you will see cameras are only at the Chatham and Delmar gates.

[CFrance]

There are cameras at the St. James gate too.

Buggy, I don't think there would have to be any "agency" established pursuant to golf cart registration. TV could just maintain a list of names and addresses. So could the rental cart places. If, in the case of hit and run or gate damage, there were a list of registered golf carts to refer to, the perps could be sent a fine/bill (in the case of breaking a gate) or the information given to the police in the case of a hit & run or some other form of golf cart mishap--like the fight that ensued on the street a few weeks ago between two golf cart drivers.

Fruitland Park has golf cart registration. But not surprisingly, since TV is doubling the size of their population, they have decided to ditch the registration. FP doesn't say why, so we don't know if TV pressure is the cause.

But I just don't understand what TV has against golf cart registration.

[Wiserbud47]

I would like to go back to the incident. The Bacall Rec Center checks ID's of all people who use the family pool, the area that the golf cart driver probably was prior to the incident. They must have some information as to who this individual was. Also, people using the pool almost always come from the Village of Largo. Hence, a red/burgundy electric cart should not be too hard to find. I wonder how much effort is being made to find the driver/cart. If it were my car, I know I would work hard to find the guilty driver.

[new peeps]

Just a suggestion for the car owner or owners. It might also be possible to look at gate pass scans in the immediate area at that time frame that would help narrow down gate pass owners. Then cross reference that with maroon golf cart owners. Every time I play golf they ask what color my cart is. I would not have a problem with that information being used to catch the person that caused this unfortunate event.

[VT2TV]

I would be very happy to pay any reasonable cost to have cart ID's. It only makes sense when there are more and more of these type incidents happening, You may not be able to identy every cart every time when something happens, but a lot of people are being injured (like the recent bicycle rider), and a lot of property (the bumper of the 4x4) is being damaged. Certainly not to a crisis stage, but I very seriously doubt that as the population increases, the incidents will decrease. It will only happen more and more. I would personally--and yes, I know it is not the popular opinion--like to see a more visable security/police/anybody in the villages who has more authority to do something/anything when there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Anything from cart speeders on the MMpathways, to underage drivers, to people from outside areas who utilize our pools, pickleball courts, etc. on a daily basis. I know a lot of people will take exception to my statement, but TV is no longer the friendliest "HOMETOWN" in size. It is a wonderful place and I am happy to be here, but it is no longer a small hometown of 20,000 people. The area where I came from is a very large metropolitan area, but the city itself has a much smaller population than TV does now. That area has a very, very large police force that stays busy.
Do I think we are anywhere near all this now?? Will I stand on the corner with a sign that TV is a wild, wicked place?? Of course not, but we all need to think about how to maintain this wonderful place we now live in, and not pretend that it cannot or will not change, As always, this is just my personal opinion. I am sure many of you will totally disagree with me and that is ok. You have your own personal opinion also.

[CatskillBill]

Just let the police and the insurance company do their jobs. They will find the driver. All they have to do is put the word out to area repair shops to look out for it. The owners will get caught. If the story makes the newspaper a neighbor will probably turn them in when they see the damaged cart in the garage or notice it's not being used as usual. Let's not over react with extra hassels like registration and plates.

[Challenger]

Just let the police and the insurance company do their jobs. They will find the driver. All they have to do is put the word out to area repair shops to look out for it. The owners will get caught. If the story makes the newspaper a neighbor will probably turn them in when they see the damaged cart in the garage or notice it's not being used as usual. Let's not over react with extra hassels like registration and plates.

Agreed-

Be careful what you ask for- you may get it.
Many of the posts requesting unecessary laws and regs after what in many cases are minor problems is what scares me most about the comming "self governance" after buildout.:22yikes:

[BobnBev]

I would be very happy to pay any reasonable cost to have cart identy. It only makes sense when there are more and more of these type incidents happening, You may not be able to identy every cart every time when something happens, but a lot of people are being injured (like the recent bicycle rider), and a lot of property (the bumper of the 4x4) is being damaged. Certainly not to a crisis stage, but I very seriously doubt that as the population increases, the incidents will decrease. It will only happen more and more. I would personally--and yes, I know it is not the popular opinion--like to see a more visable security/police/anybody in the villages who has more authority to do something/anything when the is a problem that needs to be addressed. Anything from cart speeders on the MMpathways, to underage drivers, to people from outside areas who utilize our pools, pickleball courts, etc. on a daily basis. I know a lot of people will take exception to my statement, but TV is no longer the friendliest HOMETOWN. It is a wonderful place and I am happy to be here, but it is no longer a small hometown of 20,000 people. The area where I came from is a very large metropolitan area, but the city itself has a much smaller population than TV does now. That area has a very, very large police force that stays busy.
Do I think we are anywhere near all this now?? Will I stand on the corner with a sign that TV is a wil, wicked place?? Of course not, but we all need to think about how to maintain this wonderful place we now live in, and not pretend that it cannot or will not change, As always, this is just my personal opinion. I am sure many of you will totally disagree with me and that is ok. You have your own personal opinion also.

I agree with you 100 per cent:police::thumbup::BigApplause:

[VT2TV]

I agree with you 100 per cent:police::thumbup::BigApplause:

Thanks!

[JBarracks]

Agreed-

Be careful what you ask for- you may get it.
Many of the posts requesting unecessary laws and regs after what in many cases are minor problems is what scares me most about the comming "self governance" after buildout.:22yikes:

:gc:
I whole hardily agree!

[CFrance]

I whole heartedly disagree! A hit-and-run with bodily damage to two cars (remember one was sideswped, one had bumper torn off) and another hit-and-run involving injury to a person are not minor problems.

[Challenger]

I whole heartedly disagree! A hit-and-run with bodily damage to two cars (remember one was sideswped, one had bumper torn off) and another hit-and-run involving injury to a person are not minor problems.

Your disagreement is a responsible comment.

This is an area that many more posters should comment on(pro or con) so that we can develop an understanding of the depth of the issue and get public imput on solutions if necessary.

Knee jerk reactions seldom produce appropriate solutions

[Madelaine Amee]

Your disagreement is a responsible comment.

This is an area that many more posters should comment on(pro or con) so that we can develop an understanding of the depth of the issue and get public imput on solutions if necessary.

Knee jerk reactions seldom produce appropriate solutions

I hesitate to get involved in discussions of this nature, but that said ......

I live very close to a golf cart cut through path from one village to another. I see hundreds of golf carts coming through my immediate area. For the most part the majority are responsible golf cart drivers; however, we have seen some who should never ever have a license to drive any vehicle. We regularly see road rage, screaming at one another for not going fast enough, throwing the one finger salute, dropping their trash on our yards, and rarely stopping at the stop signs, taking the corner from one side to the other without giving any thought that they might meet "head on" with a car at that intersection!, and I could go on and on.

In my opinion, golf carts are a motorized vehicle and should be registered as such. They are allowed on the streets, and some are even talking about allowing them to cross highways. THEY SHOULD BE REGISTERED as vehicles. They are not toys. They are not bumper cars. They are not meant for letting your grandchildren joy ride in them. One more thing - people who are sight impaired and handicapped, and others who would not be able to get a license to drive a motor vehicle are able to drive them; all of which is fine if they are driven carefully and responsibly.

I know this will be a very unpopular comment, but it is a subject I feel very strongly about. They should be registered and identifiable.

[BigBopper]

This accident should be a wake up call for all parents and grandparents. No one at this point in time is sure if it was teenage driver, but, more than likely it was. When this criminal is caught, and he/she will, I hope they are made to pay the full amount. Having seen this in the paper it should be a good lesson. Don't let ANY children drive a cart, anywhere, period. If they don't have a license, they shouldn't be driving. It's bad enough adults have accidents. Adding teen drivers to the crowded roads is really asking for trouble. Pay attention! or Pay UP for your mistake.

[JBarracks]

Let's not stop at golf carts. We should register all pets. I wouldn't think that the authorities would tax and control us with this. Very sensible to me.
Just kidding....or maybe not.

[EnglishJW]

I hesitate to get involved in discussions of this nature, but that said ......

I live very close to a golf cart cut through path from one village to another. I see hundreds of golf carts coming through my immediate area. For the most part the majority are responsible golf cart drivers; however, we have seen some who should never ever have a license to drive any vehicle. We regularly see road rage, screaming at one another for not going fast enough, throwing the one finger salute, dropping their trash on our yards, and rarely stopping at the stop signs, taking the corner from one side to the other without giving any thought that they might meet "head on" with a car at that intersection!, and I could go on and on.

In my opinion, golf carts are a motorized vehicle and should be registered as such. They are allowed on the streets, and some are even talking about allowing them to cross highways. THEY SHOULD BE REGISTERED as vehicles. They are not toys. They are not bumper cars. They are not meant for letting your grandchildren joy ride in them. One more thing - people who are sight impaired and handicapped, and others who would not be able to get a license to drive a motor vehicle are able to drive them; all of which is fine if they are driven carefully and responsibly.

I know this will be a very unpopular comment, but it is a subject I feel very strongly about. They should be registered and identifiable.

I agree with you.

[VT2TV]

I hesitate to get involved in discussions of this nature, but that said ......

I live very close to a golf cart cut through path from one village to another. I see hundreds of golf carts coming through my immediate area. For the most part the majority are responsible golf cart drivers; however, we have seen some who should never ever have a license to drive any vehicle. We regularly see road rage, screaming at one another for not going fast enough, throwing the one finger salute, dropping their trash on our yards, and rarely stopping at the stop signs, taking the corner from one side to the other without giving any thought that they might meet "head on" with a car at that intersection!, and I could go on and on.

In my opinion, golf carts are a motorized vehicle and should be registered as such. They are allowed on the streets, and some are even talking about allowing them to cross highways. THEY SHOULD BE REGISTERED as vehicles. They are not toys. They are not bumper cars. They are not meant for letting your grandchildren joy ride in them. One more thing - people who are sight impaired and handicapped, and others who would not be able to get a license to drive a motor vehicle are able to drive them; all of which is fine if they are driven carefully and responsibly.

I know this will be a very unpopular comment, but it is a subject I feel very strongly about. They should be registered and identifiable.



If you read my post, it should be evident that I totally agree with you!!!!!!!

[asianthree]

if no one reported the issue then a plate on the cart is not goint to help..hard to believe no one saw or heard this happen

[jaackleyjr]

Just amazes me how much plastic costs to replace! 5 to 6 k unbelievable. You know if it was made out of metal all there be is a dent!
Might be that the side of the van was also damaged and will require repair and reprinting as well

[CFrance]

Let's not stop at golf carts. We should register all pets. I wouldn't think that the authorities would tax and control us with this. Very sensible to me.
Just kidding....or maybe not.

I don't know about cats, but dogs are registered--or rather, they're supposed to be.

[TVMayor]

if no one reported the issue then a plate on the cart is not goint to help..hard to believe no one saw or heard this happen

From the paper we can not link to....
A Villages couple is hoping to find the golf cart and driver who hit their vehicle when it was parked Tuesday afternoon at Bacall Recreation Center.

Damage to their vehicle is estimated at $5,000 to $6,000.

Joan Hellmer of the Village of Largo was playing mah-johnng inside the recreation center at the time of the accident at 3 p.m. Tuesday. Witnesses said a burgundy or red electric golf cart with a plain tan sunbrella pulled into the recreation center parking lot, scraped alongside the Hellmers’ 2014 Honda Odyssey and then hit the van’s front bumper, nearly tearing it off the vehicle. The golf cart also hit a parked Toyota RAV 4. The golf cart driver fled the parking lot, but was chased by several witnesses on foot.

The driver of the golf cart is described as a young man with light-colored hair.

Joan’s husband, Dick Hellmer, got in their golf cart and went down to Bacall Rec Center to see the damage.

“When I got there, I just couldn’t believe it,” he said.

A report has been filed with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

If you have information about the incident, you can contact the sheriff’s office at 689-4600.

[buggyone]

I do not understand why any of the other people who started chasing the cart on foot did not give chase in their car or cart. Surely someone had their cart nearby.