Tiger Woods' DUI arrest and bodycam footage release after Florida crash
Consensus Summary
Tiger Woods was arrested on March 27, 2024, in Florida after crashing his Land Rover SUV on Jupiter Island, clipping a truck and rolling onto its side. Bodycam footage released by Martin County Sheriffâs Office shows Woods appearing stunned when handcuffed, with Deputy Tatiana Levenar stating his faculties were impaired due to an unknown substance. Woods admitted to taking prescription painkillers (Norco) earlier but denied alcohol use; he refused a urine test despite passing a breathalyzer. Both sources confirm Woods pleaded not guilty, was released on bail, and plans to seek treatment, with his next court hearing on May 5. Woodsâs extensive medical historyâincluding over 20 surgeries on his right legâwas noted during questioning, where he struggled with sobriety tests due to hiccups and mobility issues. The case highlights Floridaâs stricter DUI laws, where refusal of chemical tests now carries misdemeanor penalties. Woodsâs public announcement of stepping away from golf to focus on health followed the arrest, with both articles emphasizing his prolonged recovery from injuries. Minor discrepancies exist in phrasing and timing details, but the core events align closely across sources.
â 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 SUV on Jupiter Island
- Woods pleaded not guilty to the DUI charge and was granted bail, released eight hours after arrest
- Deputy Tatiana Levenar of the Martin County Sheriffâs Office conducted field sobriety tests and arrested Woods, stating 'I do believe your normal faculties are impaired, and you're under an unknown substance'
- Woods admitted to taking 'a few medications earlier in the day' and identified two white pills found in his pocket as Norco (hydrocodone, a prescription opioid)
- Woods underwent a breath test showing no alcohol but refused a urine test; Florida law now treats refusal of breath/blood/urine tests as a misdemeanor
- Woods posted a statement on April 3, 2024, saying he was stepping away indefinitely to seek treatment and focus on his health
- Woods has had seven back surgeries and over 20 surgeries on his right leg, with his ankle seizing up while walking during questioning
- The crash occurred on a residential road on Jupiter Island, clipping the back of a truck and rolling the SUV onto its side; no injuries were reported
- Woods was hiccuping during questioning and had to be instructed to keep his head still during sobriety tests
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Woods was granted a Florida judgeâs request to leave the U.S. to enter a comprehensive inpatient treatment facility one day after the footage release
- The arrest report explicitly states Woods was 'unable to safely operate the motor vehicle' based on Deputy Levenarâs observations
- Woodsâs statement was dated Wednesday AEDT (April 3, 2024, Australian time), clarifying the timeline of his public announcement
- Woods demanded a jury trial after pleading not guilty to DUI
- His next court hearing is scheduled for May 5, 2024, to assess readiness for trial
- Woods has not competed on the PGA Tour since July 2024 but appeared in the TGL indoor league co-founded with Rory McIlroy on April 2, 2024
- The Guardian notes Woods has suffered from back pain for some time and has not played regularly due to injuries, including a ruptured Achilles tendon
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states Woods was released on bail eight hours *after* his arrest, while Guardian does not specify the exact time but implies a similar duration without explicit confirmation
- ABC mentions Woodsâs statement was posted on Wednesday AEDT (April 3), but Guardian does not specify the exact date or time zone for the announcement
- ABC reports Woods was granted permission to leave the U.S. for treatment *one day after* the footage release, while Guardian does not mention this timing explicitly
- ABC includes the exact quote 'I believe your normal faculties are impaired, and you're under an unknown substance,' while Guardian paraphrases it as 'your normal faculties are impaired, and youâre under an unknown substance' (no 'I believe' included)
- ABC states Woods had a compression sock over his right knee during questioning, while Guardian describes it as 'a sock' without specifying compression
Source Articles
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