Tiger Woods is scheduled to return to a Florida courtroom as he prepares to change his not-guilty plea in a DUI case linked to a rollover crash that occurred in March. The hearing is set for September 2 at 8:30 a.m. ET before Martin County Judge Darren Steele. This development comes five months after Woods was involved in an incident where his vehicle rolled onto its side after colliding with a trailer on Jupiter Island.
Woods, who is 50 years old, originally faced misdemeanor charges for driving under the influence with property damage and for refusing to submit to a lawful test. However, the specifics of his intended new plea remain unclear. His attorney, Douglas Duncan, filed the request for the change of plea on September 1, but neither the filing nor current reports clarify what Woods will plead or if an agreement has been reached with prosecutors.
The incident that led to these charges occurred on March 27 when Woods was driving on South Beach Road. Authorities reported that he approached a truck towing pressure-cleaning equipment at a high speed, ultimately clipping the trailer and causing his Land Rover to roll over. Fortunately, Woods was unharmed and managed to exit the vehicle through the passenger side. Following the crash, deputies noted signs of impairment, including lethargy and bloodshot eyes, and discovered two hydrocodone pills in his possession.
Despite the alarming circumstances, Woods denied consuming alcohol, with a Breathalyzer test registering a 0.00. He later stated to law enforcement that he had been distracted by his phone and the radio. After his arrest, he refused to provide a urine sample, leading to the charges of DUI and refusal to submit to testing, which he initially contested with a not-guilty plea.
As the case progressed, prosecutors sought access to Woods' prescription medication records from a local pharmacy and hospital related to his treatment following the crash. The court granted permission for these records to be obtained, although they remain sealed from public access. This move indicates the seriousness with which the prosecution is approaching the case, as they aim to establish a clearer picture of Woods' state at the time of the incident.
Woods has been largely absent from competitive golf since the crash, having previously stepped away from the sport to focus on his health and recovery. His participation in the sport has been severely limited due to injuries and surgeries over the years, including a significant rollover accident in 2021 in Southern California. Although he made a public appearance at the Travelers Championship in June to discuss upcoming changes in the PGA Tour, he did not address his ongoing legal issues.
This current case is distinct from Woods' 2017 DUI arrest, where he was found asleep behind the wheel, and subsequent toxicology tests revealed the presence of prescription medications and marijuana. In that instance, Woods ultimately accepted a plea deal for reckless driving, which allowed him to avoid a DUI conviction.
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