New details emerge about fatal golf cart crash involving John Elway
A timeline has been revealed detailing the events before and after the tragic April 26 accident that resulted in the death of Jeff Sperbeck, John Elway's former agent, as provided by 9news.com.
Sperbeck, 62, fell off the back of a golf cart driven by Elway that Saturday in La Quinta, Calif., and died four days later.
One new detail revealed Sperbeck and Elway's traveling party had not attended the local Stagecoach festival that day, as had been previously reported.
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Elway and Sperbeck traveled with a group of roughly 10-15 family members and friends that day, which included the ex-quarterback's girlfriend, son Jack and daughter-in-law and comedian Johnny Devenanzio, who goes by the stage name of Johnny Bananas, according to the report.
4 John Elway (l) and Jeff Sperbeck (r) in 2015.
Jeff Sperbeck/Facebook
They departed a private event hosted by Vouri at The Madison Club that night, and opted against going to the Stagecoach festival, a country music festival hosted in Indio, Calif., like they had the previous day.
The traveling crew packed into three or four golf carts for an estimated quarter-mile trip to Elway's residence on the campus, with Elway driving a single-bench cart, per the outlet.
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Elway sat next to his girlfriend with Sperbeck's wife, Cori, occupying the end seat, while Sperbeck and Devenanzio stood in the back of the golf cart.
The former agent had told his wife to sit up front, according to the publication.
Sperbeck fell off the cart, with indications that he 'fell straight back' and 'hit his head immediately,' per the report.
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4 Sperbeck seen in a social media photo posted in 2016.
Sources told 9news.com that 'no one was drunk' and there was no horseplay or swerving, while the cart did not hit a bump, music had been playing during the ride.
Devenanzio yelled to get Elway's attention and Cori immediately exited the cart to check on her husband, who was breathing but showed signs of a 'significant injury,' according to a source.
Elway called the paramedics, who arrived quickly and transported Sperbeck to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, Calif., where he was placed on life support.
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Sperbeck died April 30.
4 Elway and Sperbeck opened 7Cellars winery.
7cellars/Instagram
'We are deeply saddened to share the passing of our beloved Jeff Sperbeck,' Cori and the Sperbeck family said in a statement. 'He was a wonderful father, husband, brother, son and friend to many and will be profoundly missed by all. We are grieving this unimaginable loss as a family alongside our dearest friends the Elway's and the many other clients Jeff called friends. We are grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of support that we have received and ask for privacy for our family at this difficult time.'
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said last week that an investigation did not reveal any criminal behavior nor any mechanical issues with the golf cart.
He also told The Denver Post that medical staffers did not discover evidence indicated Elway was 'inebriated.'
4 Sperbeck (r) served as Elway's agent during his career.
Jeff Sperbeck/Facebook
TMZ published photos showing Elway drinking an unknown substance during the day of the tragic fall.
'This appears to be a horrific accident,' Bianco told The Denver Post. 'And unfortunately for all of those involved, one of the people — well, a couple of them — happen to be very high-profile celebrities. And that makes this more of an issue than it probably should be.'
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Sperbeck represented Elway and others during his career and the two become business partners, opening 7Cellars Elway in reference to the ex-Bronco's number.
'There are no words to truly express the profound sadness I feel with the sudden loss of someone who has meant so much to me,' Elway said in a statement.
'My heart and deepest sympathies go out to Jeff's wife, Cori; his children Carly, Sam and Jackson; and everyone who knew and loved him. Jeff will be deeply missed for the loyalty, wisdom, friendship and love he brought into my life and the lives of so many others.'
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