Man Accused of Brake-Check Crash, Dragging Victim Behind Golf Cart on Marco Island

Man Accused of Brake-Check Crash, Dragging Victim Behind Golf Cart on Marco Island

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. — A Marco Island man is facing a felony charge after deputies say he intentionally brake-checked an e-bike rider, causing a crash that left the victim clinging to the back of a golf cart and being dragged for up to 100 yards.

According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened Dec. 11 on North Collier Boulevard. Deputies were called to the scene for a crash with injuries and found the victim being treated by Collier County Emergency Medical Services.

Investigators say the victim told deputies he was riding his e-bike southbound near the Esplanade area when a man driving a golf cart yelled at him to get out of the road. The victim said he pulled off at Tigertail Court to allow the golf cart to pass, then continued southbound and eventually caught up to it.

As the victim attempted to photograph the golf cart’s license plate, deputies say the driver suddenly slammed on the brakes — going from about 30 mph to a complete stop — in what investigators described as an intentional “brake-check.” The e-bike struck the rear of the golf cart, throwing the victim onto the back of the vehicle with his legs dragging on the pavement.

Despite the collision, deputies say the golf cart continued moving, dragging the victim for an estimated 50 to 100 yards. A witness reported seeing something fall from the back of the cart and yelling to the driver, who allegedly waved him off and continued driving.

Using the license plate photo, deputies identified the driver as Steven Pickett, 61, of Marco Island. Deputies attempted to contact Pickett at his home, but he did not answer the door. Investigators later spoke with him by phone, and Pickett told deputies he was out of town and would report to the sheriff’s office on Dec. 15.

Pickett turned himself in on Monday and was arrested.

He is charged with hit-and-run involving an injury, a felony offense. The victim’s current condition has not been released.