What happened in the fatal golf cart crash?

One person died in a single-vehicle golf cart collision on Saturday, January 10, 2026, just before 7 p.m. in the 2800 block of South Palmer Drive in Charleston, South Carolina. The golf cart overturned while the driver was turning at a high rate of speed, ejecting and entrapping the driver.

What are the key South Carolina golf cart laws?

Key South Carolina golf cart laws require operators to be at least 16 years old with a valid driver's license. All golf carts must be permitted, registered with the SCDMV, and insured. Operation is generally restricted to roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less, within four miles of the registered address, and typically during daylight hours unless local ordinances allow otherwise with proper lighting. Children under 12 must wear safety belts.

When did the North Charleston police pursuit and arrest occur?

A man was arrested in North Charleston after a police pursuit that ended in a crash. The arrest occurred on Thursday, and news of the incident was reported within the last 48 hours.

Are there statewide policies for police pursuits in South Carolina?

South Carolina has minimum standards for vehicle pursuits mandated by Act 218, effective in 2023, requiring all law enforcement agencies to adopt guidelines. However, a fully uniform statewide policy is not yet in place, with a bill pre-filed in late 2024 aiming to establish one.

January 13, 2026

Charleston Area Sees Fatal Golf Cart Crash and Police Pursuit

Charleston, SC, January 13, 2026

The Charleston area has been shaken by two significant public safety incidents in a short period. A fatal golf cart crash occurred when the driver lost control and overturned, claiming one life. Meanwhile, a police pursuit in North Charleston ended in a crash that resulted in the arrest of the driver involved. Authorities are investigating both events, raising concerns over vehicle safety and law enforcement procedures in South Carolina.

Charleston Area Experiences Recent Fatal Crash, Police Pursuit Culminates in Arrest

Charleston, S.C. – The Charleston area has seen significant public safety incidents reported within the last 48 hours, including a fatal golf cart crash and a police pursuit in North Charleston that led to an arrest. Authorities are actively investigating both incidents, highlighting ongoing concerns about vehicle safety and law enforcement protocols in the region.

Fatal Golf Cart Collision in Charleston

One person died following a single-vehicle golf cart collision that occurred just before 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, in Charleston, South Carolina. The incident took place in the 2800 block of South Palmer Drive. Investigations by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) indicate that the driver was navigating a turn at a high rate of speed when the golf cart overturned. The driver was subsequently ejected and became entrapped underneath the vehicle.

The sole occupant of the golf cart was pronounced dead at the scene by Charleston County EMS. The Charleston County Coroner’s Office has also responded to the incident and is expected to release the victim’s identity once appropriate notifications have been made. The CCSO’s Traffic Services Unit is leading the ongoing investigation into the crash.

South Carolina Golf Cart Regulations

This tragic incident underscores the importance of adhering to South Carolina’s golf cart laws, which were updated and became effective on May 22, 2025. These State-level regulations govern the operation of golf carts on public roads to enhance safety. Key requirements for golf cart operators in South Carolina include being at least 16 years old and possessing a valid driver’s license.

All golf carts operating on public highways must have a valid permit, be registered with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV), and carry liability insurance. Operators are required to have their driver’s license, registration certificate, and proof of liability insurance in their possession while driving a golf cart on public roads. Golf carts are generally permitted on roads with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less and can only be operated during daylight hours, unless local ordinances specifically allow night use and the cart is equipped with working headlights and taillights. Additionally, golf carts must remain within four miles of the registered address or a gated community entrance. Children under the age of 12 are mandated to wear fastened safety belts when riding as passengers on public streets and highways. Violations of these laws can lead to accidents, injuries, and legal consequences.

North Charleston Police Pursuit Concludes with Arrest

In a separate incident, a man was arrested in North Charleston after a police pursuit ended in a crash. The arrest occurred on Thursday, and news of the incident was reported within the last 48 hours. During the pursuit, the driver reportedly struck another vehicle.

Statewide Discussion on Police Pursuit Policies

This event highlights ongoing discussions and efforts regarding law enforcement pursuit policies across South Carolina. Act 218, passed in 2022 and effective in 2023, mandated that all law enforcement agencies in South Carolina adopt and implement minimum standards for vehicle pursuits and emergency vehicle operation. These standards were developed by the State Law Enforcement Training Council, and agencies have the discretion to establish more restrictive policies.

Currently, there is not a fully uniform policy for law enforcement pursuits across all agencies in South Carolina, prompting legislative efforts to create one. A bill pre-filed by Senator Darrell Jackson in late 2024 aims to establish a statewide uniform policy for police pursuits, addressing concerns about public safety during high-speed chases. The proposed bill outlines specific circumstances under which officers may initiate a pursuit, such as when a suspect has committed a violent crime, a sexual offense, escaped custody, or if there is probable cause for a DUI. It also requires authorization from a supervising officer before initiating a pursuit.

Nationwide data indicates a significant risk associated with police pursuits, with an average of 370.5 fatal crashes annually linked to such chases between 2015 and 2020. Experts and lawmakers emphasize the need to balance apprehending suspects with ensuring the safety of officers and the public, often questioning if the severity of an offense warrants a high-speed pursuit. Policies typically require officers to continuously evaluate factors like time of day, road conditions, speed, and their driving abilities, and may dictate discontinuation if the risk to the public outweighs the need for apprehension.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened in the fatal golf cart crash?: One person died in a single-vehicle golf cart collision on Saturday, January 10, 2026, just before 7 p.m. in the 2800 block of South Palmer Drive in Charleston, South Carolina. The golf cart overturned while the driver was turning at a high rate of speed, ejecting and entrapping the driver.
What are the key South Carolina golf cart laws?: Key South Carolina golf cart laws require operators to be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license. All golf carts must be permitted, registered with the SCDMV, and insured. Operation is generally restricted to roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less, within four miles of the registered address, and typically during daylight hours unless local ordinances allow otherwise with proper lighting. Children under 12 must wear safety belts.
When did the North Charleston police pursuit and arrest occur?: A man was arrested in North Charleston after a police pursuit that ended in a crash. The arrest occurred on Thursday, and news of the incident was reported within the last 48 hours.
Are there statewide policies for police pursuits in South Carolina?: South Carolina has minimum standards for vehicle pursuits mandated by Act 218, effective in 2023, requiring all law enforcement agencies to adopt guidelines. However, a fully uniform statewide policy is not yet in place, with a bill pre-filed in late 2024 aiming to establish one.

Key Safety Regulations Overview

Feature	South Carolina Golf Cart Regulations (State-level)	South Carolina Police Pursuit Policies (State-level)
Operator Age/License	Minimum 16 years old with a valid driver’s license.	N/A (Relates to police officer training and authorization for pursuit).
Registration/Permit/Insurance	Required for public highway operation (with permit, registration, and liability insurance).	N/A (Relates to law enforcement vehicle operation).
Road Speed Limits	May only be driven on roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less.	Pursuits generally involve higher speeds, with policies evaluating risk based on speed and conditions.
Operating Hours	Generally daylight hours only, unless local ordinances permit night use with proper lighting.	Police pursuits can occur at any time, with environmental factors like time of day considered in risk assessment.
Distance Restrictions	Within four miles of the registered address or gated community entrance.	N/A (Relates to jurisdictional boundaries for pursuit, which can extend to adjacent counties or within 3 miles of the city the officer is from).
Passenger Safety	Children under 12 years old must wear fastened safety belts when riding on public streets and highways.	N/A (Focuses on safety of officers, suspects, and bystanders during a pursuit).
Policy Framework	State law (Section 56-2-90, effective May 22, 2025) with local government flexibility for specific ordinances.	Minimum standards mandated by Act 218 (2022, effective 2023), with ongoing legislative efforts for a uniform statewide policy.
Reasons for Initiation/Continuation	N/A (Relates to vehicle operation, not initiation of action).	Generally, for violent felonies, sexual offenses, escapes, or probable cause for DUI; requires supervisory authorization.
Discontinuation Criteria	N/A.	When risk to public or officers outweighs need for apprehension, location of pursued vehicle is lost, or accident occurs involving innocent parties.

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