Following a rollover crash last month in Jupiter Island, Florida that led to the arrest of Tiger Woods, on Wednesday, the golf superstar was officially charged with driving under the influence, records showed.
According to court documents, Woods was charged with DUI and for refusing to take a chemical or physical test.
The crash happened on March 27 along South Beach Road near Hobe Sound Beach, Martin County Sheriff’s Office officials said.
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said Woods was trying to overtake a pressure cleaner truck at a high rate of speed when he clipped the back end of the truck and rolled over his Land Rover.
Woods was able to crawl out of the passenger door of the Land Rover and wasn’t injured, Budensiek said. The driver of the truck also wasn’t injured.
But when authorities arrived, Woods appeared to be impaired, Budensiek said.
Body camera footage showed Woods taking out his phone and telling a deputy, “I was just talking to the president,”
Deputies said Woods took a breathalyzer test that didn’t detect alcohol, but he refused to give a urine sample. No drugs or medications were found in his SUV.
An arrest affidavit said Woods was asked if he’d had any alcohol, and he replied “none,” and when he was asked if he consumed any prescription medication, he said, “I take a few.”
When he was told he was under arrest and searched, two white pills were found in his pants pocket that had “identifying marks revealed to be Hydrocodone,” the affidavit said.
After his arrest, Woods was granted bond, and a judge granted his request to seek treatment outside the United States.
In a statement on social media, hours after he pleaded not guilty, the 50-year-old golfer wrote, “This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.”
Woods is the most accomplished professional golfer of his generation, but has been hampered by injuries in recent years and underwent a seventh back surgery last year.
This was the fourth time Woods has been involved in a car crash. He was seriously injured in a car crash in February 2021 that shattered his right leg and ankle, which Woods has said nearly led to a decision to amputate.
He was also arrested for DUI in Jupiter back in 2017 and later pleaded guilty to reckless driving in the incident.
Woods competed for the first time in more than a year when he played in the TGL final Tuesday night.
He is set to be arraigned on April 23, court records showed.