The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office reports that the husband declined a breathalyzer test after the incident.
NOCATEE, Fla. — A devastating event has left a family grieving and has sent shockwaves through the Nocatee community. Authorities from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office have revealed that a woman has passed away after falling from a golf cart operated by her husband, who faces DUI charges.
Residents of this tightly-knit Nocatee neighborhood shared with First Coast News their feelings of sorrow over the tragedy that unfolded on Sunday night.
Lauren Verhine, stepping out of her Dawes Avenue home just before 10 p.m. on November 30, was unprepared for the distressing scene that awaited her.
“I heard the husband shouting, so I came outside to understand what was going on,” Verhine recounted. “When I approached, he explained she had fallen out. He was trying to assist her back into the golf cart, but her condition appeared serious, so we called 911.”
The arrest report for Angelo Theodosiou indicates the 64-year-old was driving the golf cart along Recollection Drive when his wife fell and sustained a head injury. She was airlifted to Jacksonville Memorial Trauma Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
The report says when deputies arrived on scene, they spoke with Theodosiou, who they say appeared to be intoxicated, smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot and watery eyes. The report also states that he refused to take a breath test.
Theodosiou now faces charges of driving under the influence and refusal to submit to testing at the jail.
Chris Naff with St. Johns County Fire Rescue told First Coast News this incident is a reminder of how dangerous golf carts can be.
“With this one, it’s a tragic incident, but it can be prevented,” said Naff, St. Johns County Fire Rescue’s public information officer. “They’re just as dangerous as anything else because you don’t have airbags in them, you don’t have doors keeping you inside the vehicle. We always tell people to treat these golf carts like their cars. So, obey stop signs, obey traffic laws. Only drive them in the proper areas, but also don’t drive impaired.”
“In golf carts, you kind of feel like they’re your toys, but they can really cause damage,” said Verhine.
This tight-knit Nocatee community is now grappling with this tragedy and keeping the family in their thoughts and prayers.
“Just feeling horrible for the man, for the woman and her family,” said Verhine. “We’re heartbroken and a lot of people are praying for them.”
Theodosiou has since bonded out of jail following his arrest on the night of the incident. His next court appearance is on Jan. 6, 2026.
First Coast News reached out to Theodosiou late Thursday night. He told us at this time, there is nothing he wants to say, adding that this is too much to process.
