Tiger Woods has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence for his involvement in a rollover car crash on Friday, March 27, local authorities have confirmed.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office shared that the crash occurred in Jupiter, Florida, just after 2 p.m. local time.
A few hours later, Sheriff John Budensiek held a press conference in which he shared more details about the crash and revealed that Woods, 50, is currently being held in the Martin County Jail for at least eight hours.
Woods and the other driver involved in the crash were not injured. In addition to the DUI charge, the golf star was also charged with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.
Budensiek explained that a pickup truck carrying a trailer was headed northbound on South Beach Road when the driver slowed down and attempted to turn into a driveway. The driver then saw in his mirror that a Land Rover was approaching and “overtaking him at high speeds.”
The sheriff said as the other driver tried to move to the side of the road, the Land Rover “swerved to avoid a collision but clipped the back end of the trailer.” The Land Rover rolled onto its side and the driver crawled out via the passenger door. Authorities identified that driver as Woods and DUI investigators arrived at the scene.
First responders at the scene of a car crash in Jupiter, Fla., on March 27, 2026. WPTV
Budensiek said Woods “did exemplify signs of impairment” following multiple tests. He said the athlete explained he has had past injuries and surgeries.
“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,” the sheriff said.
At the jail, Budensiek said Woods took a breathalyzer test and “blew triple zeroes.” He added, “But when it came time for us to ask for a urinalysis test, he refused. So he’s been charged with DUI, with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.” The charges are misdemeanors.
When asked if Woods was cooperative with authorities, the sheriff answered, “He is cooperative, but he was not trying to incriminate himself. So he was careful in what he said and didn’t say” before declining the urine test.
Budensiek noted that the Florida state statute requires authorities to keep people incarcerated for at least eight hours after a DUI arrest.
Woods will remain in jail for those required hours, the sheriff said, adding he will then “be released on bond, if he posts bond.”
The sheriff said police believe Woods was impaired by “some type of medication or drug.” However, Budensiek said authorities did not find any drugs or medication in his vehicle.
TODAY.com has reached out to Woods’ team for a comment.
The sheriff’s office said it is currently investigating the case and will share more details in a press conference Friday afternoon.
Woods was previously involved in a one-car crash in February 2021. His Genesis GV80 rolled over multiple times on a Southern California highway. He was found conscious and was rushed to the hospital, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Gonzalez shared on TODAY at the time. Woods suffered “significant orthopaedic injuries” to his lower right leg.
He had to have multiple surgeries to recover.
Authorities later determined Wood was driving at least twice the speed limit, going 84 mph in a 45 mph zone, NBC News reported. Sheriff’s Capt. James Powers said, “The impact of the vehicle when it hit the tree caused the vehicle to go airborne and do somewhat (of a) pirouette landing on its side.”
Officials said they did not find any signs of impairment, and no charges were filed. Investigators did not get a search warrant to test Woods’ blood samples.
Wood also crashed his car outside his Florida home on Thanksgiving night in 2009.