Florida Man Accused of Stealing Golf Cart, Throwing Friend Off in Abrupt U-Turn, Then Driving Away, Police Say
KEY WEST, FLORIDA — A Florida man is facing multiple criminal charges after police say he stole a golf cart, took a friend on a joyride, and then abandoned him in the street after an abrupt maneuver hurled the man off the back, leaving him with a broken hip that required emergency surgery.
According to a Key West Police Department arrest report, Vincent Fortin, 51, of Winter Haven, was driving a stolen golf cart through the city when he made a sudden U-turn that threw his passenger onto the pavement. Rather than stopping to help, police say Fortin drove away and continued cruising around Duval Street as if nothing had happened.
Police Say Golf Cart Was Stolen Earlier Using a “Master Key”
Investigators say the incident began earlier in the day when Fortin and another acquaintance allegedly stole the golf cart using what police described as a “master key” capable of starting multiple golf carts.
The arrest report states that Fortin then used the stolen cart to joyride through the City of Key West, eventually picking up the friend who would later be injured. The victim was riding in the rear of the golf cart at the time of the incident.
Police noted that Fortin does not have a valid driver’s license, adding to the list of alleged violations connected to the case.
Abrupt U-Turn Sends Passenger Flying Onto Pavement
According to the victim’s statement to police, Fortin made an abrupt U-turn, causing him to be thrown from the back seat of the golf cart and onto the roadway.
A witness who observed the incident corroborated the victim’s account, telling officers they saw Fortin slam on the brakes, make the sudden turn, and hurl the passenger off the vehicle.
The arrest report describes the moment bluntly, stating that Fortin caused “serious bodily injury to the victim” during the joyride.
Driver Allegedly Leaves Scene Without Helping
Instead of stopping to render aid, police say Fortin left the scene immediately.
“Fortin did not stop and render aid, but instead left the scene and kept cruising around Duval Street, like nothing happened,” officers wrote in the arrest report.
The injured man was left behind in pain as the stolen golf cart continued through one of Key West’s busiest areas.
Victim Rushed to Hospital for Emergency Surgery
Emergency responders transported the injured man to Lower Keys Medical Center, where doctors conducted CT scans of his head, neck, and hip.
The scan revealed a clear fracture in the left hip, police said. Due to the severity of the injury, the victim required emergency surgery to repair the broken bone.
Authorities classified the injury as serious bodily harm, which significantly elevated the criminal charges Fortin now faces.
Arrest Made After Officer Spots Traffic Violation
Fortin was eventually taken into custody after a police officer conducting a routine patrol observed the stolen golf cart run a red light.
According to the report, the officer quickly recognized Fortin as the same individual suspected of driving the golf cart during the earlier incident involving the injured passenger. Fortin was then stopped and arrested without incident.
Police confirmed that Fortin was still operating the golf cart at the time of his arrest.
Charges Filed and Bond Set
Fortin is now facing several charges, including:
- Grand theft
- Leaving the scene of a crash causing serious bodily injury
- Operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license
He is currently being held on a $41,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned on January 29, according to court records.
As the case moves forward, the incident highlights the serious consequences that can follow reckless behavior involving even small vehicles like golf carts, particularly in busy tourist areas. For continued coverage of crime, arrests, and public safety stories from Florida and beyond, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.