Teen Rescued After 900-Lb. Golf Cart Traps Her

Lizette Vega's friends lifted the cart off her neck after it flipped over in their Florida neighborhood.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 5:10pm

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A 17-year-old girl in Lakeland, Florida, named Lizette Vega was celebrating her birthday with friends when the 900-lb. golf cart they were riding flipped over and trapped Vega underneath, making it difficult for her to breathe. Two of Vega's friends were able to lift the cart off her, but Vega suffered a broken femur and underwent surgery, requiring metal rods to be placed in her leg and hip.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the potential dangers of underage teens operating heavy machinery like golf carts without proper supervision or safety precautions. It also serves as a cautionary tale for parents to enforce rules around vehicle use, as Vega's mother had previously warned her against riding the golf cart.

The details

Vega was riding the golf cart with five friends in her Florida neighborhood when the vehicle tipped over, landing on her neck and making it difficult for her to breathe. Two of Vega's friends, a 17-year-old and 15-year-old Nyemah Johnson, were able to lift the 900-lb. cart off of her. Vega suffered a broken femur and underwent surgery, with metal rods now permanently placed in her leg and hip.

  • On March 7, 2026, Vega was celebrating her 17th birthday with friends when the incident occurred.
  • Vega underwent surgery for her broken leg following the incident.

The players

Lizette Vega

A 17-year-old girl who was trapped under a 900-lb. golf cart in her Florida neighborhood.

Nyemah Johnson

A 15-year-old who helped lift the golf cart off Vega.

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What they’re saying

“It was like slow motion. It started falling, and I'm thinking, I'm going to die here.”

— Lizette Vega

“We just lifted it up.”

— Nyemah Johnson, 15-year-old

“It could've been way worse than it was, and we're just very blessed she's okay.”

— Nyemah Johnson, 15-year-old

What’s next

Vega will not be able to participate in some of her favorite hobbies, including wrestling or flag football, until she's fully healed.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a stark reminder for parents to enforce rules around the use of heavy machinery like golf carts, as well as the importance of having responsible friends who can act quickly in an emergency situation.