Bodycam footage released on Thursday shows Tiger Woods expressing surprise when he was handcuffed following a car crash last week, and telling a deputy he had spoken to 'the president' on the phone after the incident. The 50-year-old golfer was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) after his Land Rover hit a truck and rolled onto its side in Martin County, Florida.
In the footage obtained by the Guardian, Deputy Tatiana Levenar tells Woods, 'I do believe your normal faculties are impaired, and you’re under an unknown substance, so at this time you’re under arrest for DUI.' Woods responds, 'I’m being arrested?' and Levenar confirms, 'Yes, sir.'
During the arrest, Woods is heard telling an officer, 'I was just talking to the president.' The call itself is not captured, but Woods can be heard saying 'thank you, thank you' as he ends the conversation. It is unclear which president he referred to, though Woods has been in a relationship with Vanessa Trump, former daughter-in-law of Donald Trump. Trump, who awarded Woods the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019, said he has spoken with Woods since the incident, describing him as 'doing great' but living 'a life of pain' due to his injury history.
The footage also shows officers finding pills in Woods's pocket, which he identifies as Norco, a brand of the opioid hydrocodone. Woods told officers he was looking at his phone and changing the radio station before the crash, saying, 'I looked down at my phone, and all of a sudden – boom.' He pleaded not guilty to DUI and demanded a jury trial.
According to Deputy Levenar's arrest report, Woods was hiccuping during questioning and had to be told to keep his head still. He denied drinking alcohol but admitted taking 'a few medications.' A breath test showed no alcohol, but police said he refused a urine test. Woods was released on bail eight hours after his arrest, with a court hearing scheduled for 5 May to assess trial readiness. On Tuesday, Woods announced he is stepping away from golf 'to seek treatment and focus on my health.'
