Tiger Woods was looking at phone, showed ‘signs of impairment’ at the time of rollover, police say
Tiger Woods Was Looking at Phone, Showed ‘Signs of Impairment’ at Time of Rollover, Police Say
Accident Details and Initial Report
Tiger Woods claimed to a Florida sheriff’s deputy that he was distracted by his cellphone moments before his vehicle clipped a trailer, according to an incident report. The report noted that the golfer exhibited “several signs of impairment” and had opioid pain pills in his possession. The accident occurred on Friday when Woods’ Land Rover rolled over near Jupiter Island.
The truck driver reported to authorities that he began making a turn into a driveway when he glanced in his rearview mirror and noticed Woods approaching at high speed. The SUV overtook the truck at the last second, attempted to swerve, but collided with the trailer. Footage from the scene showed Woods’ vehicle flipped onto its side. Law enforcement described him climbing out of the window before being detained at the location.
Legal Proceedings and Medical History
On Tuesday, Woods waived an arraignment and entered a not guilty plea to a DUI charge. His attorney, Douglas Duncan, filed the notice with Martin County courts but did not comment further. The truck involved belonged to Jeromy Bullard, a 43-year-old owner of a local home cleaning company. Bullard’s father, Ricky Bullard, stated in a brief phone conversation that his son was not hospitalized and sustained no serious injuries, though he added, “I’d love to talk about it, but I can’t,” “I think everything’s OK.”
Authorities detailed Woods’ condition during the encounter, noting his bloodshot and glassy eyes, as well as extremely dilated pupils. His movements were described as lethargic and slow, with profuse sweating despite being in an air-conditioned vehicle. He struggled with field sobriety tests, including a task where he “limped and stumbled to the right.” Woods explained that multiple surgeries on his back and leg caused his ankle to seize while walking.
Previous Incidents and Medication Use
The incident report revealed Woods had taken two white pills identified as hydrocodone earlier that morning. He denied drinking alcohol but confirmed taking a few prescription medications. A breath test was administered at the jail, though he declined a urine test. Video footage captured him leaving the facility late Friday.
This marks the second time Woods has faced legal issues after a crash. In 2017, he was arrested for DUI in Florida and sought treatment for his medication use. A year earlier, in 2021, he was involved in a California accident where his car struck a tree and rolled over. While driving at least double the speed limit in a 45 mph zone, there were no visible signs of impairment at that time, and he was not charged.
Byline: Minyvonne Burke is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News. Matt Lavietes is a reporter for NBC News. George Solis is a national correspondent with NBC News.
