Four people riding a golf cart were struck and killed after a suspected drunk driver ran a stop sign in Galveston on Sunday, August 7. The golf cart was holding six people at the time. The two survivors are at a hospital in critical condition.
Grandfather Felipe Bentancur, 49, the golf cart driver, was pronounced dead on the scene. His niece, Destiny Uvalle, 25, and two grandchildren, Kaisyn Bentancur, 4, and Brailyn Cantu, 14, were taken to the hospital, where they died. The family was on vacation before the start of the school year; they were all residents of Rosenberg, TX.
According to Galveston Police Sgt. Derek Gaspard, the crash occurred around 11:30 p.m., when Rosenberg resident Miguel Espinoza, 45, ran a stop sign and plowed into a pickup truck, which struck the golf cart. The pickup and the golf cart were driving in opposite directions through the intersection and did not have a stop sign.
Espinoza was charged with four counts of intoxicated manslaughter. He is being held in Galveston County Jail on a $400,000 bond. Intoxicated manslaughter is a second-degree felony in the state of Texas. Punishments can range from community service and fines to a 2-20 year prison sentence.
Gaspard said he believes the golf cart was operating legally on the street. Galveston Mayor Craig Brown reported seeing many golf carts on the street that night as residents and visitors navigated the resort area.
An upcoming city council meeting will consider additional ordinances to make operating golf carts safer.
