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Driver Takes SUV For Spin On North Braddock Golf Course

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Police are investigating a driver who sped onto a golf course in a large SUV, and nearly hit several golfers.

It started around 4:30 p.m. at the Grand View Golf Club in North Braddock.

"The driver came down the driving range," said course General Manager Tom Beeler."Hit my vehicle, bounced off and proceeded to go on the golf course."

The driver ended up speeding down fairways, narrowly missing hitting golf carts and golfers. He has been identified as 33-year-old Jacari Hicks.

"There was a white, Chevy Tahoe barreling up towards us," said beverage cart rider Kristen Granche of Forest Hills. "I pulled the cart over as far as I could on No. 13 and we bailed out of the side before he hit us."

Granche went on to say the SUV was traveling somewhere between 60 MPH and 70 MPH while he was flying down fairways and tearing up the tee boxes.

Hicks zoomed right by a group of golfers from Woodland Hills High School.

"We were getting ready to go to No. 8," said high school golfer David Harris. "Out of nowhere, we see a white truck coming down the hill. We were like 'Wow.' We though it was a maintenance truck or something, but it came right in the middle of the fairway, came right past us. It was close to us."

Harris' brother, Richard, said it was close enough that he could see the driver's face. He said the driver appeared to be looking for a place to exit the golf course.

Beeler had a different theory.

"He was acting like he was being chased. As far as I could tell, he went over the hill. Thankfully, before he hurt somebody," Beeler said. "We usually don't have this much excitement. The biggest excitement is someone spinning around in a golf cart. We can do without this kind of stuff."

golf-course-suspect
(Photo Credit: Kristin Granche)

Hicks eventually crashed in a wooded area of the course. He had a bloody chin and scratches on his arm, but was in good shape. He was taken into custody and police are still trying to figure out why he decided to drive on the course.

Police said he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident.

Hicks was taken to McKeesport Hospital for a blood draw before being transported to the Allegheny County Jail

Hicks is charged with 10 offenses and will be responsible for paying for the damage at the golf course.

Grand View Golf Club says the damage he caused adds up to about $40,000 to fix.

Stay with KDKA for more information.

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