CANYON LAKE: Passenger dies after fall from golf cart, driver arrested after fleeing

CANYON LAKE — A passenger who had been standing on a golf cart while it was being driven died after falling from the moving cart and striking his head, Friday, Aug. 18. The driver of the golf cart allegedly fled the scene after the deadly accident, which happened at the intersection of Canyon Lake Drive S. at Village Way Drive, near the bridge that separates Holiday Bay from Canyon Bay, in Canyon Lake.

The driver, who deputies later identified as Scott Sempson, 61, of Canyon Lake, was eventually located and detained on Skippers Way in Canyon Lake, about two miles from the scene of the accident.

After an investigation, deputies arrested Sempson. He was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta on suspicion of felony hit and run resulting in someone’s death.

The investigation began at 10:40 p.m., when deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Canyon Lake Police Station responded to reports that a man had fallen from a moving golf cart.

When sheriff’s officials and other emergency first responders arrived at the scene, they found a man down in the roadway.

Officials quickly determined the victim had sustained major head injuries. After firefighter/paramedics stabilized the man, AMR medics transported him to Inland Valley Medical Center where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead by hospital staff.

Coroner’s officials later identified the victim as 49-year-old, Roger Crocker, of Canyon Lake. A coroner’s release indicated Crocker suffered fatal injuries when he fell off the golf cart at 10:32 p.m. He died just over one hour later at 11:43 p.m.

Based on the circumstances, the Menifee Traffic Reconstruction Team responded to the location and assumed the investigation. During their investigation, deputies called for the temporary closure of northbound lanes of traffic on Canyon Lake Drive S. at Village Way Drive.

The deputies’ preliminary investigation showed Crocker had been standing in the golf cart while Semspon drove northbound Canyon Lake Dr. S. As Semspon drove near the intersection of Village Drive, the passenger fell from the golf cart and struck his head, suffering fatal injuries.

According to Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant D. Marshall, Sempson fled the scene before deputies arrived. Deputies eventually located him a short time later, at which time he was questioned and ultimately arrested.

Friends, family and other Canyon Lake residents familiar with the death investigation refute official’s allegations that Sempson fled the scene of the accident, saying that after the fatal incident Sempson not only called 911 to report what had happened, he later provided all of his personal information to Canyon Lake private security personnel.

According to multiple witnesses, after waiting nearly one hour for deputies to arrive at the scene of the accident Sempson left the location, but only after he had done everything he felt could for his friend.

One witness who knew both men but requested to not be identified later explained that Crocker had been drinking alcohol before the accident happened and was so intoxicated that Sempson had to help him to the golf cart for the trip home.

One witness explained that Crocker “was goofing off – trying to tip the golf cart,” just before falling from the moving vehicle. According to the witness, despite numerous requests from Sempson that he stop, the victim continued.

“It was only when (Sempson) slowed to a stop that (Crocker) lost his balance and fell from the cart,” said one witness.

Those familiar with the incident also stated that once contacted by sheriff’s officials, Sempson made no effort to flee and turned himself in once contacted by authorities.

Witnesses also stated Sempson had fully cooperated with deputies conducting the accident investigation and took full responsibility for the tragic incident involving his friend.

An online jail records search revealed Sempson remains in custody, held on $75,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta Aug. 23.

Although officials said they could not determine if Sempson had been drinking before the accident happened, they reminded citizens of the area about the dangers of drinking and driving.

“The city of Canyon Lake would like to remind people in this community not to drive impaired by drugs or alcohol,” Marshall wrote in a press release after the fatal incident.

“If you are caught doing so, you will go to jail,” said Marshall.

Anyone with information on this investigation is encouraged to call Deputy Cail at the Perris Sheriff’s Station, (951) 210-1068. Callers can refer to incident file number CN172300006 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook and also writes for Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg and breaking his back in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.