Tiger Woods tells deputy he was ‘talking to the president’ after Florida crash, body camera video shows
Tiger Woods tells deputy he was ‘talking to the president’ after Florida crash, body camera video shows
Following a recent rollover incident in Florida, Tiger Woods shared with a police officer that he had just finished a call with “the president,” as captured in body camera footage released by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. The video, shared on Thursday, provides a glimpse into the aftermath of the crash that occurred on Jupiter Island.
“Just hang out here,” the deputy instructed Woods after the collision. Woods, who was driving a Land Rover, responded, “Yeah, I was just talking to the president.”
The crash involved Woods’ SUV colliding with a trailer while a truck was maneuvering into a driveway. Though no one was injured, the incident report noted damage totaling approximately $5,000 to the truck’s rear left fender and the trailer’s wheel. Woods, charged with driving under the influence, was seen holding a phone as he walked away from the deputy, though the audio of his conversation remained unclear.
Later in the footage, Woods knelt by the road, speaking with a police officer. “I looked down at my phone and all of a sudden, boom,” he said, describing the moment the accident occurred. His vehicle was still partially on its side, and the deputy assured him a medic would check his condition. In another segment, Woods claimed he was adjusting the radio station when the collision happened, noting he was returning home at the time.
The incident report highlighted signs of impairment observed by the deputy, including bloodshot and glassy eyes, extremely dilated pupils, and sluggish movements. Woods struggled with field sobriety tests and was described as “limping and stumbling to the right.” He mentioned having undergone multiple back and leg surgeries, which may have affected his coordination.
During the arrest, a deputy asked, “How much have you had to drink today?” Woods answered, “None,” though he later revealed taking Motrin and other medications. The video showed him completing sobriety exercises while hiccuping, eventually leading to his handcuffing. “So at this time, I do believe your normal faculties are impaired and you’re under an unknown substance,” the deputy said, confirming his arrest for DUI.
Later, Woods sat in the back of the squad car, humorously remarking, “Well, this is fun.” When asked if he was cool in the rear, he replied, “Nope,” before inquiring about his jail time. A deputy later quipped, “Are you golfing in the Masters this year?” Woods responded, “Hoping to,” prompting laughter from his security detail, who added, “Depends on y’all.”
Authorities discovered hydrocodone pills in Woods’ pocket, a medication used for pain relief. Despite his fame as a golfing icon, the footage captured him in a moment of vulnerability, with a deputy noting, “They don’t call you the GOAT for nothing, man.” Woods’ pockets were searched, and two pills were found and bagged before he was transported to the sheriff’s office.
