WILDWOOD – A night of police and community partnership came to an unfortunate end when a golf cart operated by a juvenile and a city police officer struck five people during National Night Out activities.
The Police Department issued a press release saying the city was holding its National Night Out 2024 in Fox Park on Tuesday, Aug. 6, which included a simulated impaired low-speed vehicle demonstration over a low-speed vehicle course set up for that purpose. The release said the demonstration has been part of the annual event for more than 20 years.
Tragically, the police said, during one of the demonstrations a speed-governed golf cart being operated by the juvenile and the police officer left the enclosed course and struck several individuals.
Fire Department members, who were on scene for the event, immediately began to treat the injured. The department and mutual aid departments took four adults and a juvenile to Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional. As of about 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, three of the injured had been treated and released, and two were still hospitalized due to their injuries, the release said.
The police said they look forward to the National Night Out event each year, with many officers and their families in attendance.
“This tragic incident is disconcerting to the entire City of Wildwood Police Department, and we would like to offer our sincere thoughts and prayers to the injured individuals,” the release said.
The incident is under investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Wildwood Police Department at 609-522-0222 or the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135.
