Man Killed In 'Modified, Lifted' Golf Cart Crash At Vail Lake

TEMECULA, CA — One man is dead and another hospitalized in serious condition following an alcohol-induced golf cart crash at an RV resort in the Temecula area, the CHP reported Friday.

The crash happened around 10:15 p.m. Thursday at Vail Lake Resort, which is located in the 38000 block of Highway 79 on the eastern end of Temecula, according to the Riverside County Fire Department and the California Highway Patrol.

"Two men were driving a modified (lifted/offroad) golf cart in the campground area of Vail Lake Resort," CHP Officer Harvey Ray said in a news release.

"For unknown reasons, the driver drove off the paved roadway, through a vacant campsite and off a steep dirt embankment," Ray said. "The dirt embankment becomes increasingly steep and uneven as it descends. The golf cart overturned, ejecting ... both men."

The cart landed upside down, on its roof, the CHP officer said.

One man, identified as a 38-year-old Corona resident, died at the campground, Ray said. The other man, a 37-year-old Chino resident, was rushed to Inland Valley Hospital with major injures.

"Alcohol is suspected in the involvement of the collision," Ray said of the wreck.

At this time, it's not clear who was driving the cart, he said. The Temecula Area CHP is investigating the crash.

— Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone