The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office says the husband refused to take a breath test following the incident.
NOCATEE, Fla. — A tragic night in a Nocatee neighborhood has left one family heartbroken and an entire community in shock. According to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, a woman died after falling from a golf cart driven by her husband, who is now charged with DUI.
Neighbors who live in this close knit Nocatee neighborhood told First Coast News this is an unfortunate situation that they watched unfold Sunday night.
When Lauren Verhine walked out of her home along Dawes Avenue just before 10 p.m. on Nov. 30, she didn’t realize she’d be walking into a chaotic and heartbreaking scene.
“I just heard the husband yelling, so I came out here to see what was happening,” said Verhine. “I went over to see what had happened, and I asked him what had happened and he just told me she had fallen out, so he was trying to get her back to the golf cart, but she didn’t look good so we called 911.”
According to Angelo Theodosiou’s arrest report, the 64-year-old was driving a golf cart on Recollection Drive when his wife fell out of it and struck her head on the ground. She was airlifted to Jacksonville Memorial Trauma Hospital, where she later died.
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.