Turlock woman jumps from golf cart, suffers head injury

MODESTO -- A Turlock woman suffered major injuries in a low-speed golf cart accident Tuesday afternoon.

Donna Lofton, 53, was in the passenger seat of a golf cart driven by her boyfriend, Michael Matthews, 60, about 1:40 p.m., said California Highway Patrol officer Matt Fillman.

The couple were traveling north at about 10 mph on First Street just south of I Street when Lofton decided to jump off. She fell to the ground, hit her head and suffered major head trauma, Fillman said.

Lofton was taken to Emanuel Medical Center by ambulance, then flown by helicopter to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto.

Fillman said he does not know why Lofton decided to jump from the cart; she still was unconscious when he went to talk to her Tuesday evening.

Drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in the incident. Fillman said it is not legal to drive a golf cart in the area where the incident occurred.