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Golf Cart Crash That Killed 4 Prompts City to Reconsider Transportation

"It's just very sad to me that it takes a tragedy to get action," city council member Marie Robb said following the crash, according to KTRK-TV.

2022-08-09 11:08

A golf cart crash that resulted in four deaths has prompted a Texas tourist destination city to revisit its rules on the popular transportation method. Galveston is an island city on the Gulf of Mexico about an hour from Houston. The long seawall provides miles of hotels, eateries, museums, amusement parks, and golf cart and bicycle rentals on one side, and the beach and Gulf waters on the other. In a press release sent to Newsweek, the Galveston Police said that on Saturday, at around 11:35 p.m. local time, officers responded to a "major accident near the intersection of 33rd Street and Avenue R." "Responding Officers arrived and began the investigation that involved a golf cart and two other motor vehicles," the press release said. According to the press release, four people in a golf cart, including a 4-year-old, were killed in a drunk-driving accident. The intoxicated driver, identified as 45-year-old Miguel Espinoza, was operating a black Hyundai SUV when the crash occurred. Espinoza reportedly didn't stop at an intersection, which caused the crash, police told Newsweek.

galveston texas — The City of Galveston, Texas, is re-evaluating the use of golf carts on city streets after a fatal crash killed four people over the weekend. Above, a drone view of the seawall in Galveston. Eric Overton/Getty Images

The crash prompted Galveston Mayor Craig Brown to tell community members that the city plans discuss the rules surrounding the use of golf carts and possibly implement new safety measures, according to KTRK-TV. According to the city's website, golf carts are allowed to be driven by anyone that has a license. "Galveston's ordinance distinguishes golf cart operation in eastern and western portions of the City. Golf carts that are registered for operation 103rd Street and east may be driven in accordance with the ordinance anywhere permitted on Galveston Island, but golf carts that are registered for operation west of 103rd Street may not be driven east of 103rd Street," the city said.

Four individuals were killed in a recent golf cart crash in Texas. Above, golf buggies remain parked up at Bryn Meadows Golf Club. Golf restrictions have been eased in England but remain in Wales on... Huw Fairclough/Getty

Under the city's ordinance, golf cart use is limited to areas that have a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less, on roads that have at least two lanes and "Are not designated as part of either the State or Federal highway system." Following the crash on Saturday, the Galveston Police Department identified those who died in the crash as 4-year-old Kaisyn Bentancur, 14-year-old Brailyn Cantu, 25-year-old Destiny Uvalle and 49-year-old Felipe Bentancur, the press release sent to Newsweek said.

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In addition to the Galveston mayor, city council member Marie Robb also spoke to community members following the recent crash and said that change was "inevitable," KTRK-TV reported. "It's just very sad to me that it takes a tragedy to get action," Robb said, according to the local news station. Newsweek reached out to Galveston Mayor Brown for comment. While speaking with KHOU 11 news, Sylvia Martinez, a family friend of those who died in the crash, said the incident is "Like a bad dream, like a really bad dream." KHOU 11 news reported that following the crash Espinoza was found to be driving intoxicated and was later arrested. He currently faces four counts of intoxication manslaughter, KHOU 11 reported. Update 8/9/2022, 12:25 p.m. ET: This story was updated to include information from the Galveston Police Department.