A town in New Jersey is facing a negligence lawsuit after police allowed a child to drive a golf cart into a crowd during a demonstration on the risks of drunk driving.
The legal action was initiated in Cape May County Superior Court on August 5, 2026, nearly two years following the event. Local resident Christopher Hines is filing the suit alongside an Ohio family, David and Lori Galambos, their daughter Rachel Kelly, and her children.
The defendants in the case include the city, the police department, Officer Jonathan Goraj, and the National Association of Town Watch, which has been behind the National Night Out public safety initiative since 1984.
The incident took place on August 6, 2024, at Fox Park during an annual community event. During the event, police equipped an 11-year-old boy with goggles meant to simulate intoxication, then placed him in the driver’s seat with Officer Goraj accompanying him. The police department had utilized the low-speed cart for years to educate the public about impaired driving, keeping it within a designated area.
Wildwood sued after child operating a golf cart in a police DUI simulation injured bystanders https://t.co/diavVavLw2
— The Philadelphia Inquirer (@PhillyInquirer) September 9, 2026
During the demonstration, the boy accelerated, lost control, and crashed through four-foot barriers, striking sponsor tables and spectators. Firefighters present at the park immediately responded, transporting five individuals to Cape Regional Medical Center. Of those, three were released the same night, while two stayed until the following morning.
The child experienced serious injuries, including a punctured lung, a concussion, and damage to his neck and back. Hines reported injuries to his neck, back, and legs, while his grandfather sustained neck, rib, and hip injuries.
The lawsuit claims Officer Goraj failed to take action to prevent the cart from hitting the crowd, and the family is pursuing both punitive and compensatory damages. The attorney representing them is Philadelphia lawyer James Wells. So far, the claims have not been evaluated in court.
Alicia Deluca, a spokesperson for the city, mentioned to the Inquirer that Wildwood does not comment on ongoing litigation. Following the 2024 incident, the police department expressed their distress in a Facebook post, stating that the event was “disconcerting to the entire City of Wildwood Police Department” and extended their “sincere thoughts and prayers to the injured individuals.”
