Everything we all know as Tiger Woods pleads not responsible after rollover automotive crash in Florida | EUROtoday

Tiger Woods was has pled not responsible for driving below the affect after being concerned in a rollover automotive crash on Friday afternoon.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office mentioned the incident befell on Jupiter Island, in the identical city the place 50-year-old Woods lives, when his Land Rover clipped a equipment truck and flipped over.

He was assessed by Drug Recognition Experts on the scene and after it was decided that he was “impaired”, along with his eyes “bloodshot and glassy”, and he was taken to the county jail for testing.

Woods was launched on bail after eight hours in custody however has now entered a plea of not responsible through his attorneys, with an arrest report saying he was taking a look at his cellphone and didn’t see the truck he crashed into decelerate.

No accidents have been sustained within the crash though sheriff John Budensiek was fast to stress this “could’ve been a lot worse”. Woods says he’s “stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health”.

Here’s the whole lot we all know:

How did the crash occur?

Sheriff Budensiek gave a full rundown of the police’s preliminary investigation into the crash throughout his press convention.

A truck with a pressure-washing equipment was driving down South Beach Road shortly earlier than 2pm and when it was turning right into a driveway, slowing down, the driving force of that automobile noticed a dark-coloured Land Rover coming to overhaul him at velocity.

The driver tried to edge off the facet of the highway to keep away from a collision however with this being a small two-lane avenue, there was “no shoulder” for the automobile to maneuver into.

The driver of the Land Rover, recognized as Woods, then swerved on the final minute to himself keep away from a crash however clipped the tip of the trailer carrying the stress cleansing equipment, inflicting him to checklist to the facet and roll onto the driving force’s door earlier than skidding down the highway.

“The individual driving that Land Rover was able to crawl out the passenger door of the car and was identified to be Mr. Tiger Woods,” mentioned Budensiek.

Why was Woods arrested?

After roadside exams by responding officers, Woods was deemed below the affect and arrested. He was noticed to be “sweating profusely” whereas performing “lethargic and slow” with eyes that have been “bloodshot and glassy”.

“ Our DUI investigators came to the scene here and Mr. Woods did exemplify signs of impairment,” Budensiek mentioned.

“They they did several tests on him. Of course, he did explain the injuries and the surgeries that he had, We did take that into account, but they did do some in-depth roadside tests.

“And when it was determined, he was placed under arrest and taken to the Martin County jail. At the Martin County jail, and even on scene, we were really not suspicious of alcohol being involved in this case and that proved to be true.

“Mr Woods did a breathalyser test with triple zeros, but when it came time for us to ask for a urinary analysis test, he refused and so he has been charged with DUI, property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.”

Woods handed a breathalyser check on the jail however refused to offer a urine pattern for evaluation, with Budensiek saying Woods was “co-operative while “not trying to incriminate himself”. The suspicion was due to this fact that he was below the affect of medicine or medication moderately than alcohol.

“We will never get definitive results as to what he was impaired on at the time of the crash,” Budensiek added, with Woods having the correct to refuse testing. However, a police affadavit launched days in a while Tuesday revealed Woods was discovered with two white capsules in his automobile, later recognized as hydrocodone, a prescription opioid used to deal with extreme ache.

Woods has been charged with DUI, with property injury and refusal to undergo a lawful check. These are misdemeanour costs moderately than felonies.

Were there any accidents?

It was confirmed that neither Woods, who was the one one in his Land Rover, nor the driving force of the stress washer automobile have been injured within the crash.

Speaking about Woods, Budensiek mentioned: “He was not injured. Again, he was lethargic on scene, but that we believe was because of what he was intoxicated on.”

Budensiek additionally expressed his reduction that no passers-by have been harm within the incident.

He mentioned: “Thankfully no (nobody was injured). This is a small two-lane road. Had somebody been moving in the opposite direction, we would not be having a conversation saying there were no injuries. This could have been a lot worse.”

How quick was Woods driving?

Authorities have been unable to supply a precise velocity of Woods’ automotive when he crashed however gave a sign that it was a lot increased than the 30mph velocity restrict.

“If the question is ‘can I give you a general idea of how fast,’ the answer is I can’t but I can tell you this and when I show you photos, they kind of speak for themselves,” defined Budensiek.

“ You can see where he clipped the back of the trailer. You can see where he rolled and then as he decelerates sliding down on the driver’s door of the vehicle. You can see that he slid for a pretty decent space before he came to the stop.”

When did Woods get out of jail?

Woods was stored in jail for eight hours – the minimal below Florida state legislation – earlier than being launched on bond, with the Sheriff’s Office confirming he had been launched within the early hours of Saturday morning.

Budensiek confirmed that Woods can be remoted to his personal cell and hit again at any suggestion that the golf icon was getting preferential therapy, emphasising that whereas he’ll get his comeuppance, “he’s not going to pay the price by getting punished in jail”.

 “Let me go back to the simplicity of this for the sheriff’s office,” he mentioned on the time of the arrest. “We know we arrested a high profile figure. I’m not trying to dramatise, but it doesn’t matter who you are. If you break the law, we’re going to follow the law. That’s a really easy path to take.

“Now, as far as being in the jail, we’re going to make sure he is safe. We’re not going to put him in general population. He’s not going to be with other inmates that could hurt him or try to capitalise on what he did. He’ll pay the price, but he’s not going to pay the price by getting punished in jail.”

How has Woods pled?

Woods has pled not responsible to his DUI costs and requested a jury trial.

An arrest report revealed he admitted to “trying down at his cellular phone and altering the radio station” in the moments before the crash and he told the police he “didn’t discover the automobile in entrance of him had slowed down”.

According to Martin County court documents, Woods formally skipped the initial court appearance but entered a written plea of not guilty via his lawyers. His next court appearance was scheduled for 5 May, though he does not need to appear in person.

What has Woods said?

“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” Woods said in his first public comments since the crash. “I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.

“I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”

Who has reacted to the crash?

US president Donald Trump commented on Woods’ crash and said he “feels so badly” for his close friend.

“He’s got some difficulty,” Trump said on the tarmac. “There was an accident and that’s all I know. He’s a very close friend of mine, he’s an amazing person, an amazing man. Some difficulty, I don’t want to talk about it.”

Trump later added in a phone interview with the NY Post: “He tested negative for alcohol, as you know, and he is under a tremendous physical pressure from his various ailments, you know, the back and the leg.

“He lives a life of pain. He has a lot of pain. He’s an amazing guy. He’s an amazing athlete. He does have pain. He doesn’t have an alcohol problem, but he does have pain.”

Jack Nicklaus and Phil Mickelson both offered their support to Woods while Justin Rose said he felt “sick to my stomach”, sending his prayers to his recovery. Bryson DeChambeau said he was “heartbroken and shocked to hear the news”.

Mike Tyson, Serena Williams and Lindsey Vonn were among the sporting names outside of golf to send their support, with former US president Barack Obama and singer Cher also wishing him a speedy recovery.

Woods’ concerning history with car crashes

This is the third major crash Woods has been involved in and the second time it has led to a DUI arrest.

The American was taken into custody for driving under the influence in Florida in 2017, after which he checked himself into a clinic for prescription medication.

Woods was also previously involved in a high-profile rollover crash in California in 2021, which left him with serious injuries. Authorities said he was driving at least twice the 45mph speed limit when he SUV struck a tree, causing the vehicle to fly through the air and land on its side.

At the 2021 Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, Woods said: “I’m lucky to be alive and also have a limb,” revealing it was 50-50 as to whether part of his right leg would require amputation.

In 2009, he crashed his car into a fire hydrant and tree outside his home in an incident that led to a spectacular unravelling of his private life.

How will this impact his golfing comeback?

Woods had been working his way back to golf from a seventh back surgery last September but his status for next month’s Masters now seems clear.

In saying he will be stepping away for a “period of time” to seek treatment and focus on his health, he is therefore a strong doubt to feature at Augusta.

This comes after he admitted he got his “a*** kicked” after returning to golf in the virtual league with his team Jupiter Links, who lost in the TGL Finals.

His last official tournament was The Open in 2024, rupturing his Achilles tendon in March 2025 which that kept him off the course all season prior to back surgery.

And whereas the 15-time main champion has lifetime eligibility to play on the Masters, as a earlier five-time winner of the inexperienced jacket, Trump had already instructed a choice had been remodeled him competing.

“I love Tiger, but he won’t be there,” Trump mentioned whereas showing on “The Five” on FOX News. “He’ll be there, but he won’t be playing in it.”

This newest arrest may additionally forestall him from captaining Team USA at subsequent 12 months’s Ryder Cup, a suggestion which he confirmed he was weighing up.