Golf legend Tiger Woods was arrested and charged with driving under the influence Friday afternoon following a harrowing rollover collision in Martin County, Florida. While the 15-time major champion escaped the wreckage without injury, authorities allege he showed clear signs of impairment at the scene.
The Collision on South Beach Road
The incident occurred just after 1:00 p.m. near Jupiter Island. According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Woods was operating a Land Rover at a “high rate of speed” on South Beach Road.
Witness reports and physical evidence indicate Woods attempted to overtake a pressure-cleaning truck that was slowing down to turn into a driveway. As the truck driver moved to the side of the narrow two-lane road to avoid the SUV, Woods’ vehicle clipped the back of the truck’s trailer. The impact caused the Land Rover to lose balance, tip, and roll onto the driver’s side.
Woods reportedly self-extricated from the vehicle through the passenger-side door before emergency responders arrived.
Evidence of Impairment
During a Friday evening press conference, Martin County Sheriff John M. Budensiek confirmed that while neither Woods nor the other driver sustained injuries, the golfer appeared “lethargic” and exhibited “signs of impairment” on-site.
Notably, investigators have ruled out alcohol as the primary factor.
“We were not suspicious of alcohol being involved in this case, and that proved to be true at the jail,” Budensiek stated, noting that Woods recorded a 0.00% on a breathalyzer test.
However, Woods allegedly refused to submit to a lawful urinalysis test to determine the presence of other substances. He was subsequently booked into Martin County jail on charges of DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test. He has since been released on bond.
A Pattern of Roadside Incidents
This latest crash adds another turbulent chapter to Woods’ history of vehicular incidents. The golfer famously survived a near-fatal rollover crash in Los Angeles in 2021, which required extensive reconstructive surgery on his right leg. This also marks his third major driving-related incident in Florida, following a 2009 crash near his home and a 2017 DUI arrest in Jupiter.
The timing is particularly significant for the sports world. Woods had just returned to competitive play earlier this week, leading his Jupiter Links GC team in the TGL finals—his first tournament appearance in over a year.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate whether Woods was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Further updates regarding the chemical impairment investigation are expected as toxicology protocols proceed.
