Tiger Woods Faces DUI Charges in Latest Florida Car Crash
Golf icon Tiger Woods has been arrested following a rollover car crash in Florida, marking at least the fourth high-profile auto incident involving the athlete and his second charge for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The incident occurred on Friday, March 27, 2026, near his home on Jupiter Island, where authorities reported Woods showed signs of impairment at the scene.
Details of the Recent Crash and Arrest
According to the Martin County Sheriff's Office, Woods struck another vehicle and rolled his Land Rover, though neither he nor the other driver sustained injuries. Sheriff John Budensiek stated that Woods underwent a Breathalyzer test, which returned negative results, but he refused to take a urine test. As a result, Woods was charged with driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test, both classified as misdemeanors.
History of Auto Incidents and Legal Troubles
This arrest adds to a series of car-related incidents that have plagued Woods over the past two decades. In 2017, he was charged with DUI after police found him asleep behind the wheel of his damaged car in south Florida, with the engine running. Woods attributed the incident to a bad reaction to prescription painkillers and pleaded guilty to reckless driving, avoiding jail by completing a first-time DUI offender program and receiving probation, a fine, and community service.
Severe 2021 Crash and Recovery
In February 2021, Woods survived a near-fatal rollover crash in Los Angeles County, where his SUV ran off a coastal road at high speed. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department determined he was driving between 84 and 87 miles per hour on a road with a 45 mph speed limit, though no charges were filed. The crash resulted in multiple leg and ankle injuries, including shattered tibia and fibula bones, requiring surgical intervention with rods, screws, and pins. Woods spent months immobilized and faced the possibility of amputation before recovering to walk again and return to professional golf in 2022.
2009 Fire Hydrant Collision
Another notable incident occurred in November 2009, when Woods crashed his Cadillac Escalade into a fire hydrant and a tree in Orlando, Florida, shortly after allegations of an affair were published. Authorities reported that his then-wife, Elin Nordegren, broke the car's back window with a golf club to assist him, and Woods suffered facial lacerations. This crash, while not resulting in DUI charges, highlighted the personal and public scrutiny surrounding his life at the time.
These repeated incidents raise concerns about Woods' driving history and legal accountability, as he continues to navigate both his professional career and personal challenges.
