Tiger Woods’ mugshot has been released – hours after he was arrested and charged with driving under the influence following a dramatic car crash in Florida.
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said a Land Rover, which the golf legend was driving, tried to overtake a truck “at high speeds” before it swerved and rolled on to its side after clipping a truck towing a trailer.
He said Woods showed “signs of impairment” after the incident, which happened shortly after 2pm local time on Friday and not far from where the golfer lives on Jupiter Island.
Woods, 50, took a breathalyser test after his arrest, which came back negative, but the golfer then refused to give a urine sample, police said.
Sheriff Budensiek told reporters during a news conference: “When it came time for us to ask for a urinalysis test, he refused, and so he has been charged with DUI, property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.”
None of the parties involved in the crash reported injuries.
Pointing to how the smash unfolded on a small, two-lane road, Sheriff Budensiek said it was lucky no one was injured.
“Had there been someone moving in the opposite direction, we would not be having a conversation saying there was no injuries. This could’ve been a lot worse,” Sheriff Budensiek said.
“He [Woods] was lethargic on scene but that we believe was because of what he was intoxicated on.”
The vehicle Woods hit was a truck towing a pressure cleaner trailer.
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The truck driver tried to “edge off” the side of the road to get out of the way but there was not enough room, the sheriff explained during an update on Friday.
It is not known if Woods was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, as he “crawled out of the passenger door” prior to police arriving at the scene.
Sheriff Budensiek said Woods was in custody in jail, where he would have to spend at least eight hours before he could post bail.
“He’s not going to be with other inmates that could hurt him or try to capitalise on what he did,” the sheriff said.
“He’ll pay the price, but he’s not going to pay the price by getting punished in jail.”
‘Very close friend’ of Trump
President Donald Trump, whose former daughter-in-law Vanessa Trump is dating Woods, was asked about the golfer when he landed in Miami on Friday for an investment summit.
“I feel so badly. He’s got some difficulty,” Mr Trump said. “Very close friend of mine. He’s an amazing person. Amazing man. But, some difficulty.”
This was the latest in a series of vehicle-related incidents involving Woods, most recently in February 2021 when his SUV ran off a coastal road in Los Angeles at a high rate of speed, leading to multiple leg and ankle injuries.
Woods said later his injuries were so bad that doctors considered amputation.
He also was arrested on a DUI charge in 2017 when South Florida police found him asleep behind the wheel of his car that was parked awkwardly with damage to the driver’s side.
He later pleaded guilty to reckless driving after it emerged he had had five prescription drugs in his system at the time.
In 2009 he crashed his car into a fire hydrant and tree outside his Florida home – an accident which inadvertently led to a spectacular unravelling of his private life.
Woods’ then wife, Elin Nordegren, used a golf club to smash a window of his Cadillac Escalade to get him out.
‘I’m not perfect’
“This situation is my fault and it’s obviously embarrassing to my family and me,” Woods said on his official website at the time.
“I’m human and I’m not perfect.”
The incident revealed a bitter marital dispute with Nordegren, as a host of women came forward to admit to having had extramarital affairs with Woods.
Woods and Nordegren divorced in August 2010.
The latest crash comes after Woods returned to competitive action for the first time in over a year on the final night of play in the indoor TGL competition on Tuesday.
He had said afterwards that he hoped he would be fit enough to play at the Masters next month.
Woods is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time. His major titles include five Masters, three US Opens, three British Opens and four PGA Championships.