Golf cart strikes, kills Oregon woman, 79

MEDFORD, Ore — A woman was struck and killed by a golf cart shortly after hitting a tee shot Tuesday, authorities said.

Charlotte "Sally" Stewart, 79, of Medford, was at Quail Point Golf Course with a friend, 84-year-old Beryl Pope. The accident happened after Stewart's tee shot on the third hole. While crossing a paved lane to reach her golf ball, Stewart was hit by a cart driven by her playing partner, said Detective Sgt. Mike Budreau, of the Medford Police Department.

The cart fell on Stewart, trapping her for five to seven minutes while Pope sought help, Budreau said. A groundskeeping crew rushed to free Stewart, but she was pronounced dead at Rogue Valley Medical Center.

Budreau said investigators think Pope might have accidentally hit the cart's accelerator instead of the brake. Budreau said he doesn't expect any charges to result from the accident. Toxicology tests on the cart's driver were done as part of standard protocol.

Stewart lived at the Rogue Valley Manor Retirement Community here for about a year. Pope resides there and golfed with Stewart regularly.