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
A Florida sheriff’s report indicates Tiger Woods exhibited signs of impairment before a rollover accident on Friday, claiming he was distracted by his cellphone at the time. The incident report states the golfer had opioid pain pills in his possession, which may have contributed to his condition. Woods, 50, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence after striking a trailer while a truck was turning into a driveway on Jupiter Island.
The truck driver informed authorities he began making the turn when he glanced in his rearview mirror and noticed Woods approaching at high speed. Officials said Woods’ Land Rover overtook the vehicle at the last moment, attempted to swerve, but collided with the trailer. A video of the scene shows the golfer’s SUV flipped onto its side. Woods exited through a window and was apprehended on-site by deputies.
During the interaction, the deputy observed multiple indicators of impairment and requested a separate DUI investigation. The report notes Woods had bloodshot, glassy eyes with pupils extremely dilated. His movements were described as lethargic and slow, and he was sweating heavily despite being in an air-conditioned car. He struggled with field sobriety exercises, including a test where he limped and stumbled to the right.
“I’d love to talk about it, but I can’t,” said Ricky Bullard, the father of the truck’s owner, Jeromy Bullard, 43. “I think everything’s OK.”
The incident report also mentions that Woods stated he had looked down at his phone and didn’t notice the truck had slowed. He claimed to be returning home from his residence. The truck, belonging to Jeromy Bullard, sustained approximately $5,000 in damage to its rear left fender and wheel. Bullard, who operates a local home cleaning company, did not immediately respond to comment requests.
Woods denied alcohol consumption but admitted taking a few prescription pills earlier that morning. Two white hydrocodone pills were found in his pocket, as noted in the report. He underwent a breath test at the jail but refused a urine test. Video footage captured him leaving the facility late Friday.
Woods previously faced a DUI arrest in 2017 in Florida, leading to his self-check-in at a clinic for medication management. In 2021, he was seriously injured when his vehicle crashed into a tree and overturned in California. Authorities reported he was driving at least double the speed limit in a 45 mph zone then, though no impairment signs were observed. He was not charged in that incident.
