Tiger Woods had glassy, bloodshot eyes and prescription drugs in his pocket after rollover crash, arrest affidavit says

Tiger Woods had glassy, bloodshot eyes and prescription drugs in his pocket after rollover crash, arrest affidavit says

Following a rollover incident on Friday, golf icon Tiger Woods was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to a document released Tuesday. The affidavit details that the 50-year-old had “extremely dilated pupils” and glassy, bloodshot eyes, as noted by a Martin County, Florida, sheriff’s deputy. His Land Rover crossed double solid lines before “maneuvering around” another vehicle equipped with a trailer, leading to a collision that flipped his SUV onto its driver’s side.

The other driver assisted Woods in exiting the overturned vehicle from the passenger side, as the driver’s side was pinned beneath the car. Woods was charged with DUI involving property damage and refusal to undergo a breath test, both classified as misdemeanors. His arraignment is set for April 23, and his driver’s license has been suspended, as per court records.

“Woods continuously moved his head from side to side and had to be instructed several times to keep his head straight,” the deputy wrote. He was described as lethargic, sweating heavily, and experiencing hiccups throughout the investigation.

During the field sobriety test, Woods exhibited multiple errors, such as initiating movement before being told to do so and miscounting steps, the affidavit states. His physical limitations, including seven back surgeries and over 20 leg operations, led to performing some tests while seated on a patrol vehicle’s bumper.

Despite claiming he hadn’t consumed alcohol, Woods admitted to taking “a few” prescription medications earlier that day. Two white pills, identified as hydrocodone, were discovered in his left pants pocket after the arrest. Hydrocodone is a pain-relieving opioid used for chronic conditions. A breath test at the Martin County Jail showed 0.000 on both samples, indicating no alcohol was detected.

However, Woods declined to submit to a urine test to check for chemical substances. The incident marks a recent challenge for the 15-time major champion, who had been working to revive his career after years of injuries and crashes. His 2017 DUI arrest, where prescription drugs were found in his system, resulted in a guilty plea to reckless driving and a 12-month probation period requiring DUI school, community service, and random testing.

In 2009, Woods was cited for careless driving, and in 2021, he was hospitalized following a severe rollover crash in Los Angeles County. Since then, he has participated in 11 tournaments but secured only four finishes. His ability to compete in the upcoming Masters Tournament remains uncertain, as he recently noted his body’s slower recovery compared to his younger years.