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Tiger Woods' Florida DUI arrest and crash after looking at phone and changing radio

1 hours ago4 articles from 2 sources

Consensus Summary

Tiger Woods was arrested in Florida on 29 March 2024 after a rollover crash near Jupiter Island, where his Land Rover clipped a truck while he was distracted by his phone and radio. Authorities found hydrocodone pills in his pocket and observed signs of impairment, including slow movements and bloodshot eyes, though a breath test showed no alcohol. Woods refused a urine test and was charged with DUI, property damage, and refusal to submit to testing. He pleaded not guilty and demanded a jury trial, with his case scheduled for hearings in April or May. Woods, who has a history of severe injuries requiring multiple surgeries, announced he was stepping away from golf to seek treatment. Donald Trump commented that Woods suffers from chronic pain but has no alcohol problem. While sources agree on key details like the crash, pill discovery, and charges, discrepancies include the exact date of the incident, damage estimates, and procedural specifics like bail and court filings.

✓ Verified by 2+ sources

Key details reported by multiple sources:

  • Tiger Woods was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) on 29 March 2024 in Martin County, Florida, after a rollover crash near Jupiter Island
  • Woods told authorities he was looking down at his phone and changing the radio station before the crash, which occurred on a residential road on Jupiter Island
  • Woods’s Land Rover clipped a truck and rolled onto its side, causing approximately $5,000–$7,254 in damage to the trailer/truck (reported as $5,000 in Guardian, $7,254 in ABC)
  • Deputies found two hydrocodone pills (Norco) in Woods’s pocket at the crash scene, which he identified as prescription opioids
  • Woods refused a urine test for drug screening but submitted to a breath test that showed no alcohol in his system
  • Woods was charged with DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to testing; he was held for eight hours before posting $1,150 bail
  • Woods has undergone seven back surgeries and over 20 operations on his leg, with his ankle seizing up while walking
  • Woods pleaded not guilty and demanded a jury trial, with his case scheduled for a 5 May readiness hearing (Guardian) or 23 April arraignment (ABC)
  • Donald Trump commented that Woods ‘lives a life of pain’ due to injuries and has no alcohol problem but deals with pain

Points of Difference

Details reported by only one source:

The Guardian
  • Woods was arrested on Friday afternoon (29 March) at 3:12pm; the crash occurred last week (22–28 March)
  • Deputies observed ‘several signs of impairment’ including profuse sweating, sluggish movement, bloodshot/glassy eyes, and lethargic speech
  • Woods told investigators he had taken ‘a few’ prescription medications including Vicodin, blood pressure, and cholesterol meds
  • Woods was taken to a hospital for medical clearance before jail; he declined medical treatment and was held for mandatory eight hours
  • Woods waived his 23 April arraignment hearing, entered a not guilty plea, and demanded a jury trial on 23 April
  • Trump said Woods ‘does have pain’ and ‘doesn’t have an alcohol problem’ in a phone interview with the New York Post
ABC News
  • Woods was granted permission by a Florida judge on 29 March to leave the US for inpatient treatment (not mentioned in Guardian)
  • The crash occurred on 27 March (ABC) rather than last week (Guardian’s ‘last week’ ambiguity)
  • Woods posted a statement on 29 March saying he was stepping away ‘indefinitely to seek treatment and focus on my health’
  • Woods was traveling at high speeds on a beachside residential road on Jupiter Island
  • The truck driver and another person helped Woods exit the vehicle through the passenger side due to the rollover
  • Woods was hiccuping during questioning and continuously moved his head during sobriety tests, requiring deputies to instruct him to keep his head still

Contradictions

Conflicting information between sources:

  • Guardian reports Woods was arrested on Friday afternoon (29 March) at 3:12pm, while ABC states the crash occurred on 27 March without a clear arrest time
  • Guardian says Woods waived his 23 April arraignment hearing and demanded a jury trial on 23 April, but ABC lists the arraignment as 23 April without mentioning waiver or jury trial demand
  • Guardian reports damage to the trailer as roughly $5,000, while ABC states the truck had $7,254 in damage
  • ABC mentions Woods was granted permission to leave the US for treatment on 29 March, which is not referenced in Guardian
  • Guardian notes Woods was held for mandatory eight hours under Florida law before posting $1,150 bail, while ABC does not specify bail amount or holding duration beyond ‘eight hours’

Source Articles

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....

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...

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

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....