Tiger Woods arrested on DUI charge after rollover crash in Florida
By David Wasson
Published:
Tiger Woods’ road to redemption and a return to competitive golf hit a huge roadblock Friday, as the 15-time major champion was arrested on suspicion of DUI after a rollover vehicle accident in Jupiter Island, Fla.
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said that Woods, 50, showed signs of impairment after his Land Rover hit another vehicle and rolled over. Neither Woods nor his passenger were injured, according to Budensiek, and Woods was able to crawl out of the passenger side of his Land Rover.
The crash occurred just after 2 pm ET not far from where Woods lives on Jupiter Island. Budensiek said Woods attempted to pass a work truck while driving on a two-lane road and swerved to avoid a collision as he was passing the truck – only to clip the back end of the truck’s trailer. Woods’ vehicle then rolled onto its driver’s side.
Woods submitted to a breathalyzer test at the scene, which came out negative, but he refused to take a urine test. Authorities charged him with driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test – both of which are misdemeanor charges.
Woods has been recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon and another back surgery sustained last year. He competed publicly for the first time in more than a year during Tuesday’s TGL finals for Jupiter Links GC, which lost to the Los Angeles Golf Club.
Woods has also been weighing whether to return to the PGA Tour at the Masters, which begins April 9. As a five-time champion, Woods has a lifetime exemption into the Masters field should be wish to play.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
