Canyon Lake man dies after falling off moving golf cart; driver arrested

CANYON LAKE, Calif. (KABC) -- A man in Canyon Lake died after he fell from a moving golf cart and hit his head. The driver of the cart was later arrested.

The Canyon Lake Police Department received a report at around 10:40 p.m. Friday about someone who had fallen from a moving golf cart on Canyon Lake Drive South near Village Way Drive.

According to investigators, a 49-year-old male passenger was standing in the golf cart while another person drove it northbound on Canyon Lake Drive South.

The passenger fell off the golf cart and struck his head. He sustained major injuries and was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The deceased man was later identified by coroner's officials as Roger Crocker of Canyon Lake.

The driver, identified as 61-year-old Scott Sempson of Canyon Lake, left the scene before law enforcement arrived, authorities said.

Sempson was located a short time later, arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta, where he remained in lieu of $75,000 bail.

Neighbors who witnessed the accident said Sempson called 911 himself after his roommate fell from the cart.

"The man was extremely distraught," said resident Kelly Welty. "I mean, this was his friend. So, there was no malice in it at all. It was an accident."

It was not known if drugs or alcohol was a factor.

If you have any further information regarding this incident, you're urged to contact Deputy Cail with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department - Perris Station at (951) 210-1068.