Just four days after the car crash that Tiger Woods suffered in Florida, more details of what happened have already emerged. The golfer told local police that he had looked down to check his mobile phone and was changing the radio station in his car before colliding with the trailer of a truck and causing his vehicle to roll over on the road, according to the New York Times.
In the sworn statement he gave during his arrest, published Tuesday morning by the Sheriff’s Office of Martin County, officers described the “lethargic” state of Woods at the time of the crash and reported that the golfer had two hydrocodone pills in his pocket.
Woods, 50, was later charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, causing property damage and refusing to submit to a required urine test. According to the report from deputy sheriff Tatiana Levenar, Woods “was sweating profusely” while being questioned in the back seat of a vehicle with “cold air circulating”. It was then that Woods said he had been driving from his home in Jupiter, Florida, and that he had not noticed the vehicle in front of him slow down because he was looking at his mobile phone.
Levenar and another officer, who was also at the scene, observed “several signs of impairment” while speaking with Woods.
Next, Woods was subjected to a criminal investigation for driving under the influence, during which he had to undergo breathalyser tests on site. Woods was asked if he had any medical conditions, to which he replied that he had undergone seven back surgeries and more than 20 on his leg. He was wearing a compression knee brace on his right knee.
“Woods’s movements were lethargic and slow,” the report said. “As he walked, I observed that Woods limped and staggered to the right… I asked Woods if he was able to perform tasks such as walking and lifting his leg; Woods indicated that he limps and that his ankle locks when walking,” it added.
When Tiger took off his sunglasses and cap, officers reported that the golfer’s eyes were bloodshot and glassy. He told officers he had not consumed alcohol, which matched the results of his breathalyser test. He was then asked whether he took prescribed medication. “I take some,” Woods replied.
Woods said he takes medication, but he withheld the condition for which it was prescribed, as well as the name of the medication. He also said he takes ibuprofen.
“Woods reported that he had taken his prescribed medication that same morning. While speaking with Woods, I observed that he was extremely alert and talkative. Woods hiccuped throughout the investigation,” the affidavit reads.
During the breathalyser tests, Woods cooperated and appeared alert, but he had to be repeatedly reminded of the instructions. “I considered that Woods’s normal faculties were impaired and that he was incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle,” the affidavit stated.
At that point, Woods was arrested and searched, and two white pills were found in the left pocket of his trousers. They were identified by their markings and submitted as evidence.
