Wildwood Police Department Faces Lawsuit Over Child Driving Golf Cart Incident
A Jersey Shore town and its police department are facing a lawsuit following an incident where an 11-year-old was allowed to operate a golf cart while wearing drunk-driving “impairment goggles” during a community event called National Night Out in Wildwood, New Jersey. The event was intended to strengthen relations between residents and local police officers by allowing children to navigate a course on a golf cart while experiencing simulated intoxication. Unfortunately, the 11-year-old lost control of the vehicle, veered off the course, and injured several people at Fox Park.
The lawsuit, filed in Cape May County Superior Court, names Wildwood police officer Jonathan Goraj and the City of Wildwood as defendants. The plaintiffs, including Wildwood resident Christopher Hines and his extended family from Ohio, allege that the police department should have been aware of the risks involved in allowing a child to drive under the influence simulation, as the purpose of the demonstration was to highlight the dangers of impaired driving. The lawsuit details the injuries sustained by Hines, David Galambos, and Simon Galambos during the crash, as well as the emotional distress experienced by the family members who witnessed the incident.
Hines suffered injuries to his neck, back, and legs, while David Galambos sustained injuries to his neck, rib, hip, and emotional trauma. Simon Galambos, the child driving the golf cart, suffered a collapsed lung, a concussion, and injuries to his neck and back, in addition to emotional distress. The defendants in the lawsuit include the City of Wildwood, its police department, Officer Goraj, and the National Night Out organization. The city spokesperson declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.
In conclusion, the lawsuit against the City of Wildwood and its police department highlights the consequences of allowing a child to operate a golf cart under the influence simulation during a community event. The incident resulted in injuries to multiple individuals and emotional distress for the family involved, prompting legal action to address the alleged negligence and lack of consideration for safety during the demonstration.