Galveston police charge man with DWI after golf cart accident

GALVESTON, Texas – A man is accused of being drunk when he drove a golf cart and caused an accident that critically injured a 53-year-old man.

Ronald Machac, 58, was charged with driving while intoxicated.

Recommended Videos



According to the Galveston Police Department, Machac was driving in the 4000 block of Liberty Drive around 7:42 p.m. Sunday when his passenger fell out and struck his head on the pavement.

Machac told authorities he and the victim had been out on a boat that afternoon and were returning from the dock to the house they were staying at on Liberty Drive. Machac said the passenger fell out of the cart as it was turning into the driveway.

The victim was stabilized on the scene by Galveston EMS and Galveston FD, and was transported to a nearby hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. He was listed in critical condition.

After conducting interviews, officers discovered Machac had been drinking prior to the event. They administered several standardized field sobriety tests on Machac, which led them to believe he was intoxicated.

Machac did consent to having his blood drawn to determine his exact level of intoxication.

Machac's bond was set at $5,000.

The Galveston Police Department is working closely with the district attorney's office to see if other charges are appropriate. As such, Machac could be facing additional charges in the future.