Key West Man Booked After Stolen Golf Cart Crash Breaks Passenger's Hip

A Key West man is facing multiple charges after a stolen golf cart crash tossed a passenger from the vehicle and left the victim with a broken hip that required emergency surgery. Police and sheriff’s deputies say the episode began with a theft captured on a neighbor’s security camera and ended with an arrested driver on North Roosevelt Boulevard.

Deputies responded to a 911 call on Jan. 17 for an injured man on North Roosevelt Boulevard. According to reports, the injured man told first responders he had been riding in the rear of a four-seat EZ-GO golf cart when the driver, later identified as Vincent Franklin Fortin, 51, made an abrupt U-turn and the passenger was ejected. The victim was taken to Lower Keys Medical Center for emergency surgery to repair a fractured hip.

Investigators say surveillance footage and witness statements show a separate man driving away in the stolen cart early that morning, and a neighbor’s camera reportedly captured the theft at about 5 a.m. Officers later encountered and stopped Fortin driving the cart. He was booked on charges including grand theft and leaving the scene of a crash causing serious bodily injury, and he faces a separate charge for operating a vehicle without a valid license. Bond information and an arraignment date are available in public arrest records.

Beyond the criminal case, the incident underscores public health and community safety issues in Monroe County. Golf carts are a common mode of transportation across Key West and the Lower Keys, used by residents, seasonal workers, and tourists alike. When carts are stolen or operated unsafely, the consequences can be severe. Hip fractures are especially serious for older adults and can require surgery, extended recovery, physical therapy, and increased use of local health services.

The crash also raises equity concerns. Many island residents rely on low-cost, informal transportation; thefts and unsafe operation disproportionately affect those with fewer alternatives. Emergency responses and hospital care place demands on local health systems that serve a small, seasonally fluctuating population. Preventive measures - such as secure storage, community reporting, targeted enforcement, and public education around safe operation - could reduce risks, but they require coordination between law enforcement, local government, and community groups.

As the case moves through the courts, neighbors and city officials will be watching for possible policy responses and enforcement actions aimed at curbing golf cart theft and improving safety. For residents, the episode is a reminder to secure personal vehicles, report suspicious activity, and support those recovering from serious injuries so the island’s tight-knit community can rebuild both trust and mobility.