John Elway’s Fatal Golf Cart Crash: New Details Emerge

Ever since news broke that NFL legend John Elway’s longtime agent and business partner, Jeff Sperbeck, died after a tragic head injury while riding in a golf cart with The Challenge’s Johnny ‘Bananas’ Devenanzio, we’ve had many questions about how it happened. It’s easy to assume alcohol or drugs played a factor, but both have been ruled out. After asking more questions, 9News has released new details from that fateful day.

The Group Had Skipped Stagecoach That Day

It had been widely reported that Elway, Sperbeck, Devenanzio, and the rest of the group had attended the Stagecoach music festival that day, We now know that they decided to skip it.

They went to the event Friday night, but the strong wind and cold weather made them uncomfortable. According to 9News, they attended a Vuori clothing line-sponsored event at the Madison Club in La Quinta on Saturday afternoon. It was there that they decided to skip Stagecoach that night.

The group of 10 – 15 people decided to travel the quarter mile to Elway’s house with the golf carts. Elway drove with his girlfriend and Sperbeck’s wife, Cori. Sperbeck and The Challenge star decided to stand in the back. Sources told 9News that it was a smooth ride, with “no swerving or horseplay” and “no one was drunk.”

After Sperbeck fell, Devenanzio told Elway to stop the cart, and he and Cori rushed to help him. Elway called 911, and Cal Fire showed up. An ambulance then transported Sperbeck to a local hospital. Sperbeck suffered a traumatic brain injury, and nothing could be done for him. But he could still do much for others. Sperbeck wanted to be a donor, so he was put on life support so his organs could be removed.

Police Didn’t Find Out About the Incident Until Two Days Later

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, they weren’t informed of the accident until Monday, when they opened an investigation. Some questioned why law enforcement didn’t appear at the scene. Sheriff Chad Bianco told ABC7 that Cal Fire and the medics saw no reason to contact the police.

“We’re doing everything we can to make sure that this is what it appears to be, and just an accident,” Bianco told The Denver Post.

Sperbeck became John Elway’s agent in the ’90s, while he was a quarterback for the Denver Broncos. Eventually, the two also opened a winery called 7Cellars, named after Elway’s jersey number.

“I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck,” Elway said in a statement to ESPN and re-shared by Adam Schefter. “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.”

“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.”