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Tiger Woods' Florida DUI arrest and crash after SUV rollover incident

2 hours ago4 articles from 2 sources

Consensus Summary

Tiger Woods was arrested in Florida on March 27, 2024, for driving under the influence after his Land Rover rolled over on Jupiter Island, clipping a truck. Police found hydrocodone pills in his pocket and observed signs of impairment, including slow movements and failure of field sobriety tests. Woods admitted to taking medications earlier but denied alcohol use, though he refused a urine test. He pleaded not guilty and demanded a jury trial, with his case scheduled for a readiness hearing on May 5. Woods has a history of severe injuries, including over 20 surgeries on his leg, which he cited as contributing to his condition. Both ABC and the Guardian confirm the crash caused property damage and that Woods was released on bail after eight hours in custody. However, discrepancies include the reported damage amount, Woods’s exact medications, and whether he crossed into oncoming traffic before the crash. Woods has since stepped away from golf to focus on treatment.

✓ Verified by 2+ sources

Key details reported by multiple sources:

  • Tiger Woods was arrested on March 27, 2024, in Martin County, Florida, for suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) after crashing his Land Rover on Jupiter Island
  • Woods pleaded not guilty to DUI charges and demanded a jury trial, with his case scheduled for a readiness hearing on May 5, 2024
  • Woods told police he was looking at his phone and changing the radio station when his SUV clipped a truck and rolled onto its side
  • Deputy Tatiana Levenar arrested Woods after observing signs of impairment, including slow movements, bloodshot/glassy eyes, and failure to pass field sobriety tests
  • Woods admitted to taking 'a few medications earlier in the day,' including hydrocodone (Norco) pills found in his pocket during the arrest
  • Woods submitted to a breath test showing no alcohol but refused a urine test, leading to a misdemeanor charge for refusal to submit to testing
  • Woods was released on bail of $1,150 after eight hours in custody, per Florida law
  • Woods has undergone seven back surgeries and over 20 surgeries on his right leg, with his ankle seizing up while walking
  • The crash caused approximately $5,000–$7,254 in property damage to the other vehicle (reported as $5,000 in Guardian, $7,254 in ABC)
  • Woods posted a statement on April 2, 2024, saying he was stepping away indefinitely to seek treatment and focus on his health

Points of Difference

Details reported by only one source:

ABC News
  • Woods was granted a Florida judge’s request to leave the U.S. for inpatient treatment one day after the arrest
  • The arrest report explicitly states Woods was 'hiccuping' during questioning and required multiple instructions to keep his head still
  • The article notes Woods had a compression sock over his right knee during the arrest
  • The article mentions Woods’s ankle 'seizes up while walking' as a medical explanation for his impairment
  • The article highlights that Woods’s case was waived for arraignment on April 23, 2024, and no attorney was listed in court records
The Guardian
  • The Guardian’s probable cause affidavit details Woods’s claim he didn’t notice the truck in front of him had slowed down before attempting to pass it
  • The Guardian reports Woods crossed a double yellow line into oncoming traffic before the crash, striking the truck with the front right side
  • The Guardian notes Woods was unable to exit the driver’s side due to the rollover and climbed out through the passenger side
  • The Guardian specifies Woods’s eyes appeared 'bloodshot and glassy' and his speech and movements were 'lethargic and slow'
  • The Guardian includes Donald Trump’s statement that Woods 'lives a life of pain' due to injuries and that he 'doesn’t have an alcohol problem, but he does have pain'
  • The Guardian mentions Woods had taken Vicodin earlier in the day, in addition to hydrocodone and other medications
  • The Guardian reports Woods was charged with DUI and property damage, not explicitly listing refusal to submit to testing as a separate charge

Contradictions

Conflicting information between sources:

  • ABC states Woods was released on bail eight hours after arrest due to Florida law, while Guardian notes he was held for the mandatory eight hours before posting bail
  • Guardian reports Woods took Vicodin earlier in the day, but ABC only mentions hydrocodone (Norco) pills found in his pocket
  • ABC reports the crash caused $5,000 in damage to the trailer, while Guardian’s probable cause affidavit estimates $7,254 in damage
  • ABC does not mention Woods crossing a double yellow line or attempting to pass the truck, while Guardian’s affidavit details this maneuver
  • ABC lists refusal to submit to testing as a separate misdemeanor charge, but Guardian does not explicitly mention this charge in their reporting

Source Articles

GUARDIAN

Tiger Woods says looking at his phone led to Florida rollover crash

Deputies cite signs of impairment in affidavit Hydrocodone pills found in pocket after arrest Woods waives arraignment, demands jury trial Tiger Woods told authorities he was looking down at his phone...

ABC

Tiger Woods had opioid pills in pocket at crash scene, police say

A sheriff's office report says golfer Tiger Woods had hydrocodone opioid pills in his pocket when interviewed at the scene of his car crash in Florida last week....

ABC

Police release body cam footage showing Tiger Woods stunned over arrest

Body camera footage shows Tiger Woods expressing astonishment as he was handcuffed after crashing his SUV last week in Florida....

GUARDIAN

Bodycam footage shows Tiger Woods’s shock after crash: ‘I’m being arrested?’

Golfer has pled not guilty to DUI charges Hydrocodone pills found in pocket after arrest Bodycam footage of Tiger Woods’s arrest for DUI shows the golfer looking surprised when he was handcuffed by po...