An elderly man in a golf cart was killed the evening of Dec. 23 as he tried to cross U.S. 92 east of Lakeland.
The crash happened about 7:15 p.m. at U.S. 92 and Schalamar Creek Drive. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said the man, who lives in the Schalamar Creek subdivision, had crossed U.S. 92 in his black Club Car electric golf cart to go to a nearby store. As he crossed the highway to return home, he passed into the path of a 2008 Buick CXL traveling west in the inside lane.
The Buick struck the golf cart on the passenger side, pushing it about 50 feet before it became dislodged. The golf cart driver was ejected. First responders found him in the inside, westbound lane of U.S. 92 and declared him dead on scene.
The Buick came to a stop on the north shoulder of U.S. 92. The Sheriff’s Office said no airbags deployed in the vehicle, and both the driver and passenger were wearing seat belts. The passenger suffered minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital.
The Sheriff’s Office said neither impairment or excessive speed are suspected on the part of the Buick’s driver.
The Sheriff’s Office did not immediately identify the golf cart driver, saying next of kin had not yet been located. Efforts to identify and notify them are ongoing. The investigation remains active.
