A recent DUI incident in Lake Almanor serves as a reminder that driving under the influence (DUI) is dangerous, regardless of the type of vehicle—golf carts included. On the morning of September 14, 2024, a golf cart crash left one passenger seriously injured, underscoring that the risks associated with impaired driving extend beyond traditional vehicles.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to an accident at approximately 3:15 a.m. on Lake Almanor West Drive, where 23-year-old Riley Silveira of San Francisco was operating a two-seat Club Car golf cart. Silveira, with four passengers aboard, lost control of the vehicle while turning left. The sharp maneuver caused one of the passengers, Cassidy Cushing, 23, from Martinez, to be ejected from the cart. Cushing sustained major injuries and was promptly transported to Enloe Medical Center for treatment.
Fortunately, the other passengers—Joseph Disanto, Chloe Berg, and Lena Heaney—escaped the accident unharmed. However, the outcome could have been far worse, highlighting that even a seemingly harmless ride in a golf cart can have devastating consequences when alcohol is involved.
Silveira was arrested at the scene for driving under the influence of alcohol, bringing attention to the fact that DUI laws apply to all motor vehicles, including golf carts. As the CHP emphasized, the size or speed of the vehicle does not mitigate the dangers of impaired driving. A golf cart, often viewed as a fun or leisurely mode of transportation, can become a deadly weapon in the wrong hands.
According to Sierra Daily News, incidents like this remind the public that no vehicle can operate under the influence. Authorities urge people to recognize that the consequences of impaired driving can be severe, whether it’s a car, a golf cart, or any other type of motorized vehicle. The perception that golf carts are low-risk can lead to a false sense of security, but as this incident shows, the dangers are very real.
In response to the crash, CHP reiterated that it is critical to avoid driving any vehicle while impaired, stressing that even a golf cart, often associated with a carefree atmosphere, poses serious risks when alcohol is involved. Let this serve as a sobering reminder: impaired driving endangers lives—no matter what you’re driving.