Galveston golf cart crash prompts lawsuit, discussion on city ordinance: 'We need to look at in this particular instance'

Legal action has been taken in response to a drunk driving accident in Galveston that claimed the lives of four people riding a golf cart earlier this month, per Houston-based media outlets.

Felipe Bentancur, Destiny Uvalle, Brailyn Cantu and Kaisyn Bentancur – all members of a Rosenberg family – were killed on Saturday when a black sports utility vehicle (SUV) ran into their golf cart near the intersection of 33rd Street and Avenue R, Houston ABC affiliate KTRK reported.

The station reported that attorney Jesus Amaro of the Amaro Law Firm in Houston filed a lawsuit against Miguel Espinoza, the SUV's motorist, and Galveston beachfront establishment Float Pool and Patio Bar on behalf of the deceased’s surviving family in a Fort Bend County court.

KTRK reported that Amaro filed the suit in an effort to preserve evidence from the incident.

He has secured a temporary restraining order from the same court.

"Digital evidence is already disappearing and we need the public's help regarding Mr. Espinoza's activities earlier that day and evening," the attorney told the station.

Authorities charged the 45-year-old Espinoza, who’s also from Rosenberg, with four counts of intoxication manslaughter for allegedly failing to stop at the intersection and striking the golf cart and a southbound Dodge pickup truck in the vicinity, per KTRK.

The crash prompted Galveston city leaders to examine the current golf cart ordinance that’s on the books.

According to Houston NBC affiliate KPRC, the Galveston City Council and Mayor Dr. Craig Brown gathered public input on the ordinance on Thursday, albeit it wasn’t an agenda item.

“We need to look at in this particular instance like is there anything that can be done to our golf cart ordinance that would possibly reduce accidents in the future,” Brown said, KPRC reported.

Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported that the city has received numerous golf cart-related complaints since the ordinance was amended last year, but it was Saturday’s crash that thrust the matter to the forefront.

The station reported that suggestions brought up included, but aren’t limited to time restrictions, a nighttime ban and a ban on Seawall Boulevard.

One Galveston police officer asserted that golf carts aren’t to blame but an individual’s actions.