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Man Accused Of Running Down Golfer With Cart

DENVER (CBS4)- It could be a case of cart rage. A man has been arrested and is accused of running down a golfer. His alleged target claims the driver came down the hill and right for him.

"Just bizarre, just couldn't believe it," said the man, who spoke with CBS4 but didn't wish to be identified.

Richard Ponds has been charged with second-degree assault for the alleged attack at Wellshire Golf Course, which is located at the intersection of South Colorado Boulevard and East Hampden Avenue.

Prosecutors say Ponds struck another golfer with the cart after he was asked to move it earlier this month.

richard ponds
Richard Ponds (credit: Denver Police)

"I replay it in my head over and over constantly, what the consequences could have been had I not reacted the way I did," said the man who was run down.

He said earlier this month, he and two family members were about to play the 18th hole at Wellshire. The group ahead of them had just finished their round but one man, who police say was Ponds, stayed behind in the golf cart.

"As soon as we got 60 yards away the gentleman was still sitting in his golf cart and I asked the gentleman, 'Sir, would you mind moving your golf cart?'"

Victim
(credit: CBS)

Apparently the request didn't go over too well with Ponds and it set off a heated exchange. According to court documents, witnesses and friends of the suspect said Ponds turned his cart around and drove towards the victim.

"As soon as he got a foot or two away, I realized he wasn't going to stop ... he was going to run me over," said the victim.

wellshire GOLF CART ATTACK
Copter4 flew over Wellshire Golf Course (credit: CBS)

A golf cart weighs between 500 and 600 pounds, and after he was struck the victim had to get stitches across his forehead. He also suffered other cuts and bruises.

Ponds was then able to drive away, despite several witnesses who tried to keep him from leaving the course.

"There was just no call for this in any manner. We just don't know why he wouldn't move his golf cart away from the green," said the victim.

The victim said he had a friendly conversation with the group prior to the alleged assault.

Ponds is scheduled to appear in court next month.

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