Everything we know as Tiger Woods pleads not guilty after rollover car crash in Florida

Tiger Woods was has pled not guilty for driving under the influence after being involved in a rollover car crash on Friday afternoon.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said the incident took place on Jupiter Island, in the same town where 50-year-old Woods lives, when his Land Rover clipped a machinery truck and flipped over.

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He was assessed by Drug Recognition Experts on the scene and after it was determined that he was “impaired”, with his eyes “bloodshot and glassy”, and he was taken to the county jail for testing.

Woods was released on bail after eight hours in custody but has now entered a plea of not guilty via his lawyers, with an arrest report saying he was looking at his phone and didn’t see the truck he crashed into slow down.

No injuries were sustained in the crash although sheriff John Budensiek was quick to emphasise this “could’ve been a lot worse”. Woods says he is “stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health”.

Here’s everything we know:

How did the crash happen?

Sheriff Budensiek gave a full rundown of the police’s initial investigation into the crash during his press conference.

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A truck with a pressure-washing apparatus was driving down South Beach Road shortly before 2pm and when it was turning into a driveway, slowing down, the driver of that vehicle saw a dark-coloured Land Rover coming to overtake him at speed.

The driver tried to edge off the side of the road to avoid a collision but with this being a small two-lane street, there was “no shoulder” for the vehicle to move into.

The driver of the Land Rover, identified as Woods, then swerved at the last minute to himself avoid a crash but clipped the end of the trailer carrying the pressure cleaning apparatus, causing him to list to the side and roll onto the driver’s door before skidding down the road.

“The individual driving that Land Rover was able to crawl out the passenger door of the car and was identified to be Mr. Tiger Woods,” said Budensiek.

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Why was Woods arrested?

After roadside tests by responding officers, Woods was deemed under the influence and arrested. He was observed to be “sweating profusely” while acting “lethargic and slow” with eyes that were “bloodshot and glassy”.

“ Our DUI investigators came to the scene here and Mr. Woods did exemplify signs of impairment,” Budensiek said.

“They they did several tests on him. Of course, he did explain the injuries and the surgeries that he had, We did take that into account, but they did do some in-depth roadside tests.

“And when it was determined, he was placed under arrest and taken to the Martin County jail. At the Martin County jail, and even on scene, we were really not suspicious of alcohol being involved in this case and that proved to be true.

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“Mr Woods did a breathalyser test with triple zeros, but when it came time for us to ask for a urinary analysis test, he refused and so he has been charged with DUI, property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.”

Woods passed a breathalyser test at the jail but refused to give a urine sample for analysis, with Budensiek saying Woods was “co-operative while “not trying to incriminate himself”. The suspicion was therefore that he was under the influence of medication or drugs rather than alcohol.

“We will never get definitive results as to what he was impaired on at the time of the crash,” Budensiek added, with Woods having the right to refuse testing. However, a police affadavit released days later on Tuesday revealed Woods was found with two white pills in his vehicle, later identified as hydrocodone, a prescription opioid used to treat severe pain.

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Woods has been charged with DUI, with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test. These are misdemeanour charges rather than felonies.

Were there any injuries?

It was confirmed that neither Woods, who was the only one in his Land Rover, nor the driver of the pressure washer vehicle were injured in the crash.

Speaking about Woods, Budensiek said: “He was not injured. Again, he was lethargic on scene, but that we believe was because of what he was intoxicated on.”

Budensiek also expressed his relief that no passers-by were hurt in the incident.

He said: “Thankfully no (nobody was injured). This is a small two-lane road. Had somebody been moving in the opposite direction, we would not be having a conversation saying there were no injuries. This could have been a lot worse.”

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How fast was Woods driving?

Authorities were unable to provide an exact speed of Woods’ car when he crashed but gave an indication that it was much higher than the 30mph speed limit.

“If the question is ‘can I give you a general idea of how fast,’ the answer is I can’t but I can tell you this and when I show you photos, they kind of speak for themselves,” explained Budensiek.

“ You can see where he clipped the back of the trailer. You can see where he rolled and then as he decelerates sliding down on the driver’s door of the vehicle. You can see that he slid for a pretty decent space before he came to the stop.”

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When did Woods get out of jail?

Woods was kept in jail for eight hours – the minimum under Florida state law – before being released on bond, with the Sheriff’s Office confirming he had been released in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Budensiek confirmed that Woods would be isolated to his own cell and hit back at any suggestion that the golf icon was getting preferential treatment, emphasising that while he will get his comeuppance, “he’s not going to pay the price by getting punished in jail”.

“Let me go back to the simplicity of this for the sheriff’s office,” he said at the time of the arrest. “We know we arrested a high profile figure. I’m not trying to dramatise, but it doesn’t matter who you are. If you break the law, we’re going to follow the law. That’s a really easy path to take.

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“Now, as far as being in the jail, we’re going to make sure he is safe. We’re not going to put him in general population. He’s not going to be with other inmates that could hurt him or try to capitalise on what he did. He’ll pay the price, but he’s not going to pay the price by getting punished in jail.”

How has Woods pled?

Woods has pled not guilty to his DUI charges and requested a jury trial.

An arrest report revealed he admitted to “looking down at his cell phone and changing the radio station” in the moments before the crash and he told the police he “did not notice the vehicle in front of him had slowed down”.

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According to Martin County court documents, Woods formally skipped the initial court appearance but entered a written plea of not guilty via his lawyers. His next court appearance was scheduled for 5 May, though he does not need to appear in person.

What has Woods said?

“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” Woods said in his first public comments since the crash. “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 in 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.”

Who has reacted to the crash?

US president Donald Trump commented on Woods’ crash and said he “feels so badly” for his close friend.

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“He’s got some difficulty,” Trump said on the tarmac. “There was an accident and that’s all I know. He’s a very close friend of mine, he’s an amazing person, an amazing man. Some difficulty, I don’t want to talk about it.”

Trump later added in a phone interview with the NY Post: “He tested negative for alcohol, as you know, and he is under a tremendous physical pressure from his various ailments, you know, the back and the leg.

“He lives a life of pain. He has a lot of pain. He’s an amazing guy. He’s an amazing athlete. He does have pain. He doesn’t have an alcohol problem, but he does have pain.”

Jack Nicklaus and Phil Mickelson both offered their support to Woods while Justin Rose said he felt “sick to my stomach”, sending his prayers to his recovery. Bryson DeChambeau said he was “heartbroken and shocked to hear the news”.

Mike Tyson, Serena Williams and Lindsey Vonn were among the sporting names outside of golf to send their support, with former US president Barack Obama and singer Cher also wishing him a speedy recovery.

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Woods’ concerning history with car crashes

This is the third major crash Woods has been involved in and the second time it has led to a DUI arrest.

The American was taken into custody for driving under the influence in Florida in 2017, after which he checked himself into a clinic for prescription medication.

Woods was also previously involved in a high-profile rollover crash in California in 2021, which left him with serious injuries. Authorities said he was driving at least twice the 45mph speed limit when he SUV struck a tree, causing the vehicle to fly through the air and land on its side.

At the 2021 Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, Woods said: “I’m lucky to be alive and also have a limb,” revealing it was 50-50 as to whether part of his right leg would require amputation.

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In 2009, he crashed his car into a fire hydrant and tree outside his home in an incident that led to a spectacular unravelling of his private life.

How will this impact his golfing comeback?

Woods had been working his way back to golf from a seventh back surgery last September but his status for next month’s Masters now seems clear.

In saying he will be stepping away for a “period of time” to seek treatment and focus on his health, he is therefore a strong doubt to feature at Augusta.

This comes after he admitted he got his “a*** kicked” after returning to golf in the virtual league with his team Jupiter Links, who lost in the TGL Finals.

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His last official tournament was The Open in 2024, rupturing his Achilles tendon in March 2025 which that kept him off the course all season prior to back surgery.

And while the 15-time major champion has lifetime eligibility to play at the Masters, as a previous five-time winner of the green jacket, Trump had already suggested a decision had been made over him competing.

“I love Tiger, but he won’t be there,” Trump said while appearing on “The Five” on FOX News. “He’ll be there, but he won’t be playing in it.”

This latest arrest may also prevent him from captaining Team USA at next year’s Ryder Cup, an offer which he confirmed he was weighing up.