In a bizarre event that sounds a bit like an episode The Simpsonsa golf cart simulating the dangers of drunk driving went out of control at a police fair, injuring five after it veered off the intended course. The Wildwood Police Department confirmed the news in a Facebook post.
The incident happened Tuesday in Wildwood, New Jersey, during National Night Out, which describes itself as “an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie” across America.
“As part of the event and for the past twenty years, we have operated a low-speed golf cart course operated by a simulated disabled operator,” the police explained in a statement. “Tragically, during one course operation, a speed-controlled golf cart operated by a juvenile participant and a Wildwood Police officer left the closed course and struck several people.”
It's unclear exactly how the car is made to mimic a drunk driver, but images on the National Night Out Facebook page include several photos of the event's attendees over the years.
Among the people hit are four adults and one child. The extent of their injuries is unclear, but they were immediately treated by Wildwood firefighters who were on the scene before the decision was made to transport all five victims to Cape Regional Medical Center in the midtown area.
On Wednesday, Wildwood police reported that “three [victims] treated and released, two are still hospitalized for their injuries.” It was not immediately clear whether the victims were still hospitalized Thursday. The department noted that the incident remains under investigation.
“This tragic incident is heartbreaking for the entire Wildwood City Police Department, and we would like to offer our sincere thoughts and prayers to those injured,” the department said in a statement.