The accident occurred on March 27 near Woods' home on Jupiter Island in Florida. His car collided with a truck and overturned. As a result of the incident, no one was injured, [reports](https://entrevue.fr/ru/scandales-affaires-judiciaires/tiger-woods-plaide-coupable-apres-son-accident-en-floride-5-ans-sans-permis-pour-la-star-du-golf/) Entrevue. After the accident, Woods was detained. The breathalyzer did not detect alcohol; however, the police noticed the athlete's condition and suspected possible influence of drugs or other substances. He was found with two hydrocodone pills — a powerful prescription painkiller. Woods agreed to take a sobriety test but refused to provide a urine sample. Initially, he was charged with driving under the influence causing property damage and refusing to undergo a legally mandated test. ### Charges Reduced On September 2, the 50-year-old athlete appeared in Martin County court in Florida. Ultimately, the charge of driving under the influence was reduced to a lesser offense — reckless driving. Woods entered a *nolo contendere* plea — that is, he did not contest the charge. This procedure is not a formal admission of guilt, but the defendant accepts the punishment imposed by the court. The golfer was banned from driving for five years; additionally, he must pay fines. The agreement allowed him to avoid a guilty verdict for driving under the influence and possible imprisonment. Judge Darren Steele explained the lengthy suspension of driving privileges due to public safety considerations. Woods arrived at the hearing with his partner Vanessa Trump. After the court, they left the building without answering reporters' questions. ### Woods Admitted He Was Distracted by His Phone Later, recordings from police cameras shed light on the circumstances of the accident. Woods told law enforcement that he was distracted by his phone and the car's audio system at the moment when the truck in front began to slow down. The police described the athlete as lethargic and sweaty, noting signs that could indicate impaired ability to respond normally to the situation. Woods himself attributed his condition to the medications prescribed to him. This is not the first serious traffic incident in the famous golfer's life. In 2009, he was involved in an accident near his home in Florida. In 2017, Woods was found asleep at the wheel of his car, after which he was arrested. At that time, the athlete reported that he had taken several prescription medications and later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. In February 2021, Woods was involved in a serious accident in California. His car went off the road and rolled over several times. The athlete sustained severe injuries to his right leg, underwent several surgeries, and faced a lengthy rehabilitation. After the March 2026 incident, Woods announced that he was temporarily suspending his participation in competitions to undergo treatment. Tiger Woods remains one of the most decorated golfers in history: he has 15 major tournament victories and 82 PGA Tour wins. However, he has not competed in official tournaments since the 2024 Open Championship. Now, the case regarding the March 27 accident is nearly concluded: Woods has avoided a DUI conviction, but he will remain without a driver's license for the next five years.
