In a startling incident on Marco Island, a Florida man was taken into custody after a dangerous encounter involving an e-bike rider and a golf cart. Authorities report that the man, identified as Steven Pickett, abruptly “brake-checked” an e-bike rider, causing the rider to be thrown forward onto the back of the cart. The victim was then dragged for a distance of 50 to 100 yards, sustaining multiple injuries, before Pickett fled the scene.

A local resident who witnessed the event described seeing “something falling off the back” of Pickett’s golf cart, which turned out to be the injured e-bike rider. Despite the witness’s attempt to alert Pickett to the situation, shouting that something had fallen off, Pickett merely waved and continued driving, seemingly in disbelief at what he heard, as detailed in a Marco Island Police report.

Police were dispatched to the scene on Collier Boulevard following reports of a crash resulting in injuries. Upon their arrival, the injured rider recounted the events leading to the incident. He explained that while traveling southbound on North Collier Boulevard on his e-bike, he encountered Pickett, who shouted at him to get off the road.

Initially, the e-bike rider moved aside to let Pickett pass, believing the situation was resolved. However, as the rider continued his journey, he caught up with Pickett and attempted to photograph the license plate of the golf cart. It was at this point that Pickett allegedly brake-checked the rider, abruptly reducing his speed from 30 mph to a complete stop, as detailed in the arrest report.

“He was riding his e-bike … and a male golf cart driver screamed at him to get out of the road,” according to police. “[The victim] stated he pulled off to the right at the next road … He stated the vehicle kept going and was no longer behind him.”

The e-bike rider continued southbound on North Collier and eventually caught up to Pickett and attempted to take a photo of his golf cart license plate. As he snapped the photo, he told police that Pickett deliberately “brake-checked” him, reducing his speed from 30 mph to zero, the arrest report says.

“[The victim] stated he rear-ended the golf cart causing his body to fly forward onto the back of the golf cart with his legs dangling on the ground and leaving his bike behind him on the ground,” the report alleges. “He stated the golf cart driver dragged him for 50-100 yards while [the victim] was telling the guy to stop because he was going to get hurt/possibly killed by the accident.”

The victim told cops that despite “yelling” repeatedly to pull the golf cart over, Pickett allegedly kept driving until he fell off. Cops tracked down Pickett and spoke to him about what happened, according to the report. He allegedly claimed that the victim was “coming up on him at a high rate of speed,” causing him to fear for his own safety.

“He stated he did not know why this guy was coming up on him so fast, but he was afraid of what this person might do,” police say. “He stated he did slam on his brakes and that no person or vehicle was in front of his vehicle which would have caused him to slam on his brakes.”

Pickett admitted that the “guy hit the back of his golf cart with the e-bike and held on to the back as he continued driving forward,” per the arrest report. He allegedly stated that the man was yelling at him to stop but he was too scared to pull over.

“He stated he did stop and advised that after the male got off his golf cart, the man started chasing him after he started to drive away,” police allege. “He stated he did not stop after the accident and went immediately to his place of employment. … He stated he did not report the accident as he did not know anyone was hurt.”

Cops say the victim was treated for injuries at the scene and later went to the hospital after experiencing further pain in his stomach.

Pickett was arrested Monday and charged with felony hit-and-run, leaving the scene of a crash involving an injury. He was released on bond and is due in court on Jan. 12, 2026.