Tiger Woods told police he was looking at his cellphone and changing the radio station before his rollover crash last week in Jupiter Island, Fla., according to the arrest affidavit obtained Tuesday by ESPN.
Woods, 50, was jailed on a charge of suspicion of misdemeanor DUI with property damage following last Friday’s accident and was released on a $1,000 bond about eight hours later.
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said a breathalyzer test showed no signs of alcohol, but that Woods refused a urinalysis test for other drugs. Woods entered a plea of not guilty on Tuesday.
The 15-time major champion announced later Tuesday that he would seek treatment in hopes of “lasting recovery.”
“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” Woods’ statement read. “I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.
“I’m committed to taking the time needed to return to a healthier, stronger and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”
“Tiger Woods is a legend of our sport whose impact extends far beyond his achievements on the course,” the PGA Tour said in a statement. “But above all else, Tiger is a person, and our focus is on his health and well-being. Tiger continues to have our full support as he takes this important step.”
New PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp told ESPN in a statement that he has appreciated Woods’ “friendship and the perspective he has shared with me as I joined the golf industry.
“My thoughts are with him and his family as he takes this step, for which he has my full respect and support,” Rolapp said.
Woods was “sweating profusely” and his movements were “lethargic and slow” during an interview with sheriff’s deputy Tatiana Levenar, she wrote in the arrest affidavit.
Another deputy “observed several signs of impairment and requested I conduct a DUI Investigation to ensure Woods was able to operate the motor vehicle in a safe manner at the time of the collision,” Levenar wrote in the affidavit, which was obtained by ESPN through an open records request.
During the field sobriety exercises, the deputy wrote that Woods was “limping and stumbling to the right.” Woods told the deputy he had undergone seven back surgeries and more than 20 operations on his right leg since a major car accident near Los Angeles in 2021.
“Based on my observations of Woods, how he performed the exercises and based on my training, knowledge, and experience, I believed his normal facilities were impaired, and he was unable to safely operate the motor vehicle,” Levenar wrote.
Levenar also noted that Woods’ eyes were “bloodshot and glassy” and his pupils were “extremely dilated.” Woods denied consuming any alcohol but said he had taken “a few” prescription pills that morning, per the report. Names of the medications were redacted in the affidavit, however another Martin County Sheriff’s deputy found two hydrocodone pills in Woods’ left pants pocket.
–Field Level Media
