Employee killed near Valhalla Golf Club ahead of 2nd round of 2024 PGA Championship identified

Editor's note: This article has been edited to clarify that the statement regarding the worker's death was issued by PGA of America.

A vendor employee is dead after being struck by a shuttle bus early Friday morning near the front gate of Valhalla Golf Club on Shelbyville Road, according to a statement from PGA of America.

"This morning we were devastated to learn that a worker with one of our vendors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla Golf Club. This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones," the organization said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

In a separate statement Friday afternoon, Mayor Craig Greenberg identified the victim as John Mills, calling him "a Louisvillian who will be greatly missed by his family and our community."

In a statement, Mills' family said he "was enjoying his time at Valhalla working as security. He liked to stay busy in retirement. We love him and will miss him."

LMPD spokesperson Dwight Mitchell said officers received a call to the 15500 block of Shelbyville Road around 5 a.m. regarding a collision between a bus and a person. A preliminary investigation found Mills was struck by a shuttle bus traveling eastbound in the center lane dedicated to buses. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Top golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested in the wake of the accident after police say he disregarded instructions and injured an officer while trying to drive into the golf club. ESPN NFL reporter John Darlington said there was a "misunderstanding with traffic flow" in the area outside the venue, which led to the arrest.

"The police officer attempted to attach himself to Scheffler’s car, and Scheffler then stopped his vehicle at the entrance to Valhalla," Darlington posted on X. "The police officer then began to scream at Scheffler to get out of the car. When Scheffler exited the vehicle, the officer shoved Scheffler against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs."

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Scheffler was booked into Louisville Metro Corrections shortly before 7:30 a.m., but later released. At around 9:50 a.m., PGA Tour officials released a statement from Scheffler, who said he never intended to disregard police instructions and called the situation a "big misunderstanding." He also expressed condolences to the family of the man killed.

"Of course, all of us involved in the tournament express our deepest sympathies to the family of the man who passed away in the earlier accident this morning. It truly puts everything in perspective."

In his afternoon statement, Greenberg said he "remains focused on the tragic loss of life" and will share more information on both the accident and arrest as it's available.

PGA of America echoed Greenberg's sentiments, saying the organization's primary concern remains with Mills' family.

"As it relates to the incident involving Scottie Scheffler, we are fully cooperating as local authorities review what took place," organization officials said in a statement.

The accident involving Mills remains under investigation.

Baily Loosemore contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 2024 PGA Championship: Employee killed in accident outside Valhalla Golf Club