Tiger Woods was arrested for driving beneath the affect after being concerned in a rollover automotive crash on Friday afternoon.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office stated the incident befell on Jupiter Island, in the identical city the place 50-year-old Woods lives, simply after 2pm native time.
Woods was assessed by Drug Recognition Experts on the scene and after it was decided that he was “impaired”, he was taken to the county jail for testing.
It was confirmed that no accidents had been sustained within the crash though sheriff John Budensiek was fast to emphasize this “could’ve been a lot worse”.
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 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 street to keep away from a collision however with this being a small two-lane road, there was “no shoulder” for the automobile to maneuver into.
The driver of the Land Rover, recognized as Woods, then swerved final minute to himself keep away from a crash however clipped the tip of the trailer carrying the stress cleansing equipment, inflicting him to record to the facet and roll onto the driving force’s door earlier than skidding down the street.
“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,” stated Budensiek.
Why was Woods arrested?
After roadside checks by responding officers, Woods was deemed beneath the affect and arrested.
“ Our DUI investigators came to the scene here and Mr. Woods did exemplify signs of impairment,” Budensiek stated.
“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.”
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 is due to this fact that he was beneath the affect of medicine or medication fairly than alcohol, although there was no medicine in his automotive.
“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 proper to refuse testing.
Woods has been charged with DUI, with property injury and refusal to undergo a lawful check. These are misdemeanour costs fairly 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 had been injured within the crash.
Speaking on Woods, Budensiek stated: “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 had been damage within the incident.
He stated: “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 had been unable to supply an actual velocity of Woods’ automotive when he crashed however gave a sign that it was a lot greater 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,” Martin County sheriff John Budensiek stated.
“ 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 will Woods get out of jail?
Under Florida state legislation, Woods should stay in jail for a minimum of eight hours earlier than being launched on bond, presuming he posts bail.
Budensiek confirmed that Woods shall be remoted to his personal cell and hit again at any suggestion that Woods 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 stated. “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.”
Who has reacted to the crash?
US president Donald Trump commented on Woods’ crash and stated he “feels so badly” for his shut buddy.
“He’s got some difficulty,” Trump stated 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.”
While the golf world has reacted on-line, only a few of Woods’ professional {golfing} adversaries have spoken out or issued statements.
Woods’ regarding historical past with automotive crashes
This is the third main crash Woods has been concerned in and the second time it has led to a DUI arrest.
The American was taken into custody for driving beneath the affect in Florida in 2017, after which he checked himself right into a clinic for prescription medicine.
Woods was additionally beforehand concerned in a high-profile rollover crash in California in 2021, which left him with critical accidents. Authorities stated he was driving a minimum of twice the 45mph velocity restrict when he SUV struck a tree, inflicting the automobile to fly via the air and land on its facet.
At the 2021 Hero World Challenge within the Bahamas, Woods stated: “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.
How will this impact his golfing comeback?
Woods had been working his way back to golf from a seventh back surgery last September and his status for next month’s Masters remains unclear.
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 at The Masters, as a earlier five-time winner of the inexperienced jacket, Trump steered a choice had already been made.
“I love Tiger, but he won’t be there,” Trump stated 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 stop him from captaining Team USA at subsequent 12 months’s Ryder Cup, a proposal which he confirmed he was weighing up.
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/golf/tiger-woods-car-crash-latest-updates-b2947450.html