On Sunday October 26, 2015, at approximately 2:15 p.m., Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to incident involving a golf cart occurring at the corner of Red Rock Lane and Mingus Drive in Cordes Lakes. Members of the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office are investigating.
Preliminary information from witnesses indicate Cordes Lakes resident Gina Hawes, 54, was seen driving a golf card north on Red Rock Lane and then making a sharp left turn onto Mingus Drive. Her mother, 75-year-old Gloria Miller, was riding as a passenger. During the turn, Miller was ejected from the cart and sustained serious injuries. The golf cart did not overturn or collide with any objects. Miller was transported to Yavapai Regional Medical Center where she was pronounced deceased.
During follow-up with investigators, Hawes admitted to drinking before driving and showed signs and symptoms of impairment at the scene. She submitted to field sobriety tests and a preliminary breath test. Deputies also located open and unopened beer cans in the golf cart. Hawes was arrested for DUI and transported to the YCSO Mayer substation for further evaluation where testing showed a blood alcohol concentration of .18% / .19% – more than twice the basic legal limit.
Miller’s cause of death is pending further investigation by the Medical Examiner’s office.
Hawes was booked into the Camp Verde Detention Center for Extreme DUI and a charge of Manslaughter – Recklessly Causing Death. She is being held without bond.