STUART, Fla. – Tiger Woods has announced plans to change his not guilty plea in a DUI case stemming from a rollover crash in Florida, as revealed in court documents filed on Tuesday.
The incident occurred in March when Woods’ Land Rover clipped another vehicle, resulting in the SUV rolling onto its side. Subsequently, Woods was arrested. He initially pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence in Martin County circuit court, located just north of Palm Beach County.
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Woods is scheduled to appear in court for a plea conference hearing on Wednesday morning. However, details regarding the nature of his plea change have not been disclosed.
Woods’ attorney, Doug Duncan, and representatives from the State Attorney’s Office did not respond immediately to inquiries from The Associated Press for further information.
According to an incident report, Woods was driving at high speeds on a residential road on Jupiter Island where the speed limit is 30 mph (nearly 50 kph). His Land Rover caused approximately $5,000 in damage to the truck involved in the accident. Fortunately, Woods managed to exit the vehicle without sustaining any injuries and claimed he was distracted, looking down at his phone and adjusting the radio when the crash occurred.
Woods willingly took a Breathalyzer test that showed no signs of alcohol consumption; however, he refused a urine test. Reports from the sheriff’s office indicated that deputies discovered two pain pills in his possession, and he exhibited signs of impairment.
In light of the incident, Woods has sought treatment at an inpatient facility outside the United States, as indicated by court records.
In July, Judge Darren Steele approved a motion allowing prosecutors to review medical records related to Woods’ crash and arrest. This agreement followed a similar one in May, which permitted access to Woods’ prescription medication records from a Palm Beach pharmacy from the beginning of the year through the end of March.
At 50 years old, Woods remains one of the most influential figures in golf, known for being the first golfer of Black heritage to win the Masters in 1997. His remarkable achievements have captivated fans, creating records that may never be surpassed.
Unfortunately, his illustrious career has been marred by multiple back and knee surgeries, several car accidents, and challenges related to pain management.
Woods has been involved in four car accidents over the years. Notably, in 2021, he survived a serious crash in Los Angeles, which resulted in catastrophic injuries to his right leg, with doctors even contemplating amputation. His earlier incident in 2009 involved his SUV crashing into a fire hydrant and tree near his Orlando home.
Following the 2009 accident, Woods took a hiatus from the golf tour, a pattern he repeated after the recent crash, and he has yet to return to competitive play.
Woods made his first public appearance after receiving treatment on June 23, where he introduced the PGA Tour’s plans for a revamped schedule for 2028. Despite his legal troubles, he continues as the chairman of the tour’s Future Competition Committee, although he did not address any questions during that appearance.
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Associated Press writer Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed to this report.
