Over the Memorial Day weekend in Panama City Beach, Florida, a tragic incident occurred when a golf cart carrying two teenage girls was struck head-on by a pickup truck driven by a suspected drunk driver. The crash took place on Wahoo Road in the Bay Point community. The impact was so severe that it completely tore off the top of the golf cart, leaving only the base intact. Both 15-year-old Malaya Behrend and 16-year-old Layla Himes sustained critical injuries, including punctured lungs and severe jaw trauma. They were airlifted to USA Health University Hospital and underwent extensive surgeries before being transferred to a rehabilitation facility in Pensacola .

The driver of the pickup truck, 61-year-old Richard Stanley Barker, was arrested at the scene for driving under the influence (DUI) causing serious bodily injury. Further investigation revealed that Barker had fled the scene after the collision, leading to additional charges of leaving the scene of a crash with serious injury . A judge set his bond at $25,000 and ordered him to have no contact with the victims .

In response to the incident, the families of the injured teens have filed a civil lawsuit against Barker. The lawsuit was filed by Danielle Trythall on behalf of her daughter Layla Himes, and by Tisha Acker and Matthew Behrend on behalf of their daughter Malaya Behrend. The families are seeking justice and accountability for the harm caused to their children .

The community has rallied around the victims, with GoFundMe campaigns launched to assist with medical expenses and recovery costs. As of February 6, 2025, nearly $16,000 had been raised out of a $24,000 goal for Layla Himes .

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired driving and the devastating impact it can have on innocent lives. Authorities continue to urge the public to avoid driving under the influence and to be vigilant on the roads to prevent such tragedies.