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Pro Football Hall of Famer John Elway won't be charged in relation to the accidental death of his friend and longtime agent Jeff Sperberck, Riverside County (Calif.) Sheriff Chad Bianco confirmed to 9News on Friday (July 11).
“It’s over,’’ Bianco said. “We’ve talked to everyone involved and we found nothing new. There was nothing criminal, it was what we’ve been saying all along that this was a tragic accident.”
The Riverside County Sheriff's Office reportedly plans to announce the formal conclusion of the investigation as no criminal activity was found to have occurred. Sperbeck, 62, died on April 30 from blunt head trauma after falling out of a golf cart being driven by Elway, 64, at The Madison Club on the night of April 26. A group of roughly 10-15 relatives and friends, which included Elway's son, Jack, his daughter-in-law and comedian Johnny 'Bananas' Devenanzio, traveled in three or four golf carts from a private event hosted by Vouri back to Elway's residence on the campus, according to the report.
Elway was driving a single-bench cart with Sperbeck's wife occupying the other seat as Sperbeck and Devenanzio stood on the back of the cart. Sperbeck was reported to have fallen "straight back" off the car and "hit his head immediately," according to the report.
The agent was confirmed to have died from injuries sustained, according to the Riverside County corner in a statement obtained by ESPN.
“I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck," Elway said in a statement re-shared by ESPN's Adam Schefter in April. "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.”
Elway reportedly called 911 and Sperbeck was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, according to TMZ Sports. Sperbeck, who worked as a sports agent for 30 years, represented Elway in the 1990s prior to launching a winery called 7Cellars, a reference to the quarterback's jersey number, as business partners.
"This has been a terrible time for everyone involved and our hearts continue to go out to the Sperbeck family," said Harvey Steinberg, Elway's attorney, in a statement obtained by NBC News on Friday. "The investigation has confirmed what we already knew: this was a tragic accident and sometimes things happen in life that we will never comprehend," Steinberg said.
Elway retired after leading the Denver Broncos to back-to-back Super Bowl victories, which included winning Super Bowl XXXIII MVP in his final appearance. The former No. 1 overall pick ranks 12th in NFL history with 51,475 yards and 14th with 300 touchdown passes.