VIRGINIA: Recipe for death – police say that Ryan Cooling was operating golf cart while drinking without lights and wrong-way when hit by DUI driver Joseph Connelly

Golf-cart-operating-without-lights-by-Ryan-Cooling-who-police-say-was-alcohol-involved-killed-when-hit-by-DUI-driver-Joseph-Connelly.-Photo-courtesy-of-Smithfield-VFD-2

VIRGINIA: Recipe for death – police say that Ryan Cooling was operating golf cart while drinking without lights and wrong-way when hit by DUI driver Joseph Connelly

Tipsy Ryan Cooling killed as he drove a golf cart the wrong way in the roadway without lights after midnight and was hit head-on by alleged DUI driver Joseph Connelly in Isle Of Wight County.

Sergeant Michelle Anaya of the Virginia State Police reports that at approximately 12:51 a.m., August 16, 2019, Virginia State Police Communications Center received a call of a two-vehicle accident on Route 10, east of Route 710, involving a golf cart. 
Ryan Allen Cooling was traveling in eastbound in the westbound lanes of Route 10.

Golf cart crash fatal to Ryan Cooling when hit head-on has he drove the wrong way without headlights and was hit by this Mirage. Photo courtesy of Smithfield VFD (2)

Police say that Cooling was driving a Yamaha golf cart, with no headlights, when he was struck head-on by a 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage traveling westbound in the westbound lanes.

Upon impact, Cooling was ejected from the golf cart and police say he died at the scene.

Cooling, 45, of Elkton, Maryland, was not wearing a safety belt and alcohol was a contributing factor. The notification has been made to family members. 
The driver of the 2019 Mitsubishi, Joseph Thomas Connelly, 30, of the 11000 block of Cindale Drive, Smithfield, was arrested for driving under the influence.  Connelly’s driver’s permit was suspended for six months in 2009.

Isle of Wight District Court Records shows the following:
Operator License Restriction Codes: License Is Restricted To Use To And From Work, License Is Restricted To Use To And From ASAP Meetings, License Is Restricted To Use For Medically Necessary Travel, To And From Court Ordered Facility