The investigation into the golf cart accident involving NFL Hall of Famer John Elway remains open over a month after the death of his friend and agent, Jeff Sperbeck.
In a statement to Denver’s 9NEWS, Riverside (CA) sheriff Chad Bianco said, “We’re not going to officially close out the case until we have reviewed all of the video that could possibly be out there.”
“We know there’s a possibility of 18 more residents with video that we haven’t heard from yet,” Bianco added. “So until we make contact with them we’re not going to officially close it out but based on other ones we’ve seen we don’t anticipate finding anything new. We just don’t want to close it out knowing there’s a possibility of additional video out there.”
Bianco made it clear that the sheriff’s office is still “considering it an accident.”
In a statement to TMZ Sports on Thursday, May 29, Bianco confirmed there was “no evidence” of a crime after having spoken to all parties who were in the area near where the incident occurred.
Elway, 64, was driving the golf cart in La Quinta, California on April 26, when Sperbeck, 62, fell off and suffered traumatic head injuries. He was pronounced dead on April 30.
Bianco explained that his department only got involved after a “massive media inquiry” came their way once it was revealed that Elway was in the driver’s seat.
“It is common practice for medical personnel, whether it be an ambulance personnel or hospital personnel or even fire personnel, to call us after the scene of an accident because something doesn’t look right,” Bianco explained. “And this was not the case.”
Bianco said there was no evidence to suggest that Elway was intoxicated at the time of the crash. He also indicated the golf cart involved did not show any signs of malfunction.
Elway won two Super Bowls during a 16-year NFL career, all with the Denver Broncos, from 1983 to 1998. He later served as the team’s general manager and executive vice president before transitioning to a consultant role. Elway’s time with the Broncos organization ended in 2023.
Sperbeck began working as Elway’s agent in 1990, roughly seven years into the quarterback’s NFL career, and the pair would go on to become friends and business partners off the football field. In 2015, Elway and Sperbeck cofounded the wine brand, 7Cellars.
Elway broke his silence on Sperbeck’s death on April 30.
“I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck,” Elway said. “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.”
He continued, “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.”
