Woods was arrested at the scene of a crash in which the 50-year-old’s Land Rover overturned after hitting the back of a truck trailer while being overtaken on a two-lane road near where Woods lives on Jupiter Island.
Neither Woods nor the truck driver were hurt, but the 15-time golf major winner was described by police officers as “sluggish.”
A breathalyzer test at the Martin County Jail found no alcohol in Woods’ system, leading investigators to believe his impairment was drug or medication related. However, Woods refused a urine test.
In addition to DUI, he was also charged with damage to property and refusal of a lawful test.
Tiger Woods car accident: What else do we know?
“DUI investigators arrived on scene and found Mr. Woods showed signs of impairment,” said Martin County Sheriff John Budencik. He said authorities believed Woods was “impaired by medication.”
“He explained his injuries and surgeries and we took that into consideration, but he did some thorough roadside testing. At the Martin County Jail and even at the scene, we really didn’t suspect alcohol was involved in this case and that proved to be true,” Budencik said.
He added, “Mr. Woods did a breathalyzer test with triple zero, but when it came time for us to ask for a urinalysis test, he refused.”
In accordance with Florida law, Woods remained in custody for eight hours before being released on bond.
Woods’ history of car accidents
Friday’s incident is at least the third time in recent years that Woods has been involved in a car accident.
On February 23, 2021, his car slid off a coastal road in Los Angeles, causing multiple injuries to his foot and ankle. Woods later said that he almost lost his legs.
He also faced DUI-related charges in 2017. Woods initially said he had taken a bad combination of painkillers, but later pleaded guilty to reckless driving.
This latest accident comes after Woods returned to competitive action for the first time in more than a year in an indoor event on Tuesday.
Woods later said he hoped he would be fit to play in the Masters, one of golf’s most prestigious events, next month.
US President – and keen golfer – Donald Trump has also commented on Woods’ latest mishap.
“There was an accident, that’s all I know,” he told reporters. “I feel very bad. He’s got some problems. He’s a very close friend of mine, he’s a wonderful person, a wonderful person.”
Following the 2009 accident outside his home and subsequent revelations about his personal life, Woods admitted to multiple extramarital affairs.
Edited by: Wesley Dockery, Dmytro Lyubenko
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