Tiger Woods was looking at phone, showed ‘signs of impairment’ at the time of rollover, police say

Tiger Woods Was Focused on His Phone, Displayed ‘Impairment’ in Rollover, Police Report Says

Florida law enforcement has released an incident report indicating Tiger Woods was preoccupied with his mobile device moments before his vehicle rolled over on Friday. The report claims Woods exhibited “multiple signs of impairment” during the crash, which occurred on Jupiter Island. Officers noted he had opioid pain medication in his possession at the time.

Woods, 50, was taken into custody and charged with driving under the influence following the incident. The driver of the truck he collided with told authorities he began turning into a driveway when he glanced in his mirror and spotted Woods approaching at high speed. According to officials, Woods’ Land Rover overtook the vehicle at the final moment, attempted to swerve, but ultimately struck the trailer.

Video footage captured the golfer’s SUV flipped onto its side after the crash. Woods exited the vehicle through a window and was detained at the scene. On Tuesday, he waived his arraignment and entered a not guilty plea, as documented by his attorney, Douglas Duncan, in a court filing for Martin County. Duncan declined to comment further on Tuesday afternoon.

During the encounter, a deputy observed Woods displaying “several signs of impairment,” prompting a second officer to investigate for possible DUI violations. The report details that Woods had bloodshot, glassy eyes with “extremely dilated” pupils. His movements were described as “lethargic and slow,” and he was “sweating profusely” despite being in an air-conditioned car. He struggled with a field sobriety test, including a step exercise 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 Jeromy Bullard, who owns the truck involved in the collision. “I think everything’s OK.”

The incident report also mentions that Woods claimed he had undergone multiple surgeries on his back and leg, and that his ankle occasionally “seizes” while walking. He denied consuming alcohol but stated he had taken a few prescription medications earlier that morning. Two white pills identified as hydrocodone were found in his left pocket, used to manage pain. Woods submitted to a breath test at the jail but refused a urine test.

Woods previously faced DUI charges in 2017 after a crash in Florida, which led to his admission to a clinic for medication oversight. In 2021, he sustained serious injuries when his car collided with a tree in California, though authorities noted he was driving at least double the speed limit in a 45 mph zone without visible signs of impairment. No charges were filed in that incident.

Minyvonne Burke, a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News, contributed to the report. Additional coverage was provided by Matt Lavietes and George Solis, both NBC News reporters.