Tiger Woods has issued a statement on his recent arrest and car crash. Following the March 27th incident, in which he was charged with driving under the influence and refusing a drug test, the Hall of Fame golfer spoke candidly about the situation.
"I understand the seriousness of my current predicament," Tiger said in a March 31st statement released on X (formerly Twitter), after pleading not guilty to the charges. "I am taking a step back for a while to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is crucial for me to prioritize my well-being and work towards a lasting recovery."
The 50-year-old added, "I am committed to taking the time necessary to return to a healthier, stronger, and more focused state, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones, and myself at this time."
The two-vehicle collision occurred in Jupiter Island, Florida, after Woods attempted to overtake a pickup truck while driving his Land Rover at high speed on a two-lane road. According to Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek, who spoke to reporters shortly after the accident, Woods' car flipped onto its side after clipping the other vehicle, and he was able to "crawl out of the passenger door of the car." While officers on scene did not report any injuries, they determined that Woods "did exhibit signs of impairment," but noted that investigators were not "suspicious of alcohol being involved in this case."
"Mr. Woods did a breathalyzer test, blowing triple zeros, but when it came time for us to ask for a urinalysis test, he refused," the sheriff continued. "There is a Florida statute that he will be charged with for refusing that test, but we will never get definitive results as to what he was impaired by at the time of the crash."
While responding to the scene of the crash, deputies discovered two white pills believed to be hydrocodone opioid pain medication in his left pant pocket, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by E! News. Years before the athlete's collision in the Sunshine State, he was involved in a single-vehicle crash in Los Angeles where he suffered serious leg injuries. At the time, he was traveling more than 40 miles per hour over the speed limit. According to a collision report obtained by E! News, Woods was knocked unconscious during the accident and suffered injuries listed as "laceration to the lower front jaw, bruised right and left rib cage, fractured right tibia and fibula, possible right ankle injury." He underwent a three-week hospital stay and multiple surgeries as a result of his injuries.
"I've had some hard days and tough setbacks," he told Golf Digest in November 2021, "but I keep progressing and I'm able to walk again." Since then, Woods has returned to golf. Prior to his latest crash, he competed in the TGL Finals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on March 24th.
