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Woman sitting in lawn chair hit, injured by ‘driverless’ golf cart near Eldora Speedway

DARKE COUNTY — A woman was taken to the hospital after being hit by a golf cart near Eldora Speedway Friday afternoon.

Around 2:45 p.m. deputies and rescue crews were dispatched to Speedy Campground at 4281 North Star Ft. Loramie Road for a person hit by a golf cart, according to the Darke County Sheriff’s Office.

Preliminary investigation showed that a golf cart was sitting at a campsite, and the owner said that he was standing beside it when it took off.

The owner, 63-year-old William Fields Jr., tried to grab the golf cart to stop it but was dragged to the ground.

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The sheriff’s office says the driverless golf cart continued driving for approximately 25 to 30 yards before striking Jill Koontz, 68, of Mapleton, IL, who was sitting in a lawn chair.

The golf cart continued past Koontz and struck a 2022 Freedom Traveler motorhome.

“The golf cart continued spinning its tires as it was wedged under the side of the motorhome until a witness turned the key off,” the sheriff’s office said.

Koontz was rendered aid by bystanders until deputies got on the scene.

Koontz was flown to Miami Valley Hospital by CareFlight. Her condition is unknown at this time, however, initial reports indicate she suffered a serious leg injury.

The sheriff’s office says it is unknown at this time what caused the golf cart to engage the throttle and start driving off.

Information on the severity of any injuries was not immediately available.

It is unclear what caused this reported crash.

We will continue to update this story.

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