ROLLING HILLS ESTATES, California (AP) – A man found Tiger Woods unconscious in a mutilated SUV after the golf star crashed the vehicle in Southern California, authorities said in court documents obtained Friday.
The man, who lives near the Rolling Hills Estates location, heard the crash and walked over to the SUV, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy Johann Schloegl wrote in an affidavit.
The man told delegates that Woods would not respond to his questions. The on-site first deputy sheriff, Carlos Gonzalez, said Woods could talk to him and answer basic questions. Woods told deputies – both on the spot and later at the hospital – that he did not know how the crash happened and could not recall driving, the affidavit said.
Law enforcement has not previously disclosed that Woods had been unconscious after the crash. Officials had previously said the SUV had toppled over, although Schloegl did not mention that in the description of the crash.
The information came in a probable cause statement requesting approval of a search warrant for the Genesis SUV’s data recorder, also known as a black box.Schloegl asked for data for February 22 and February 23. The crash occurred around 7 a.m. on February 23.
“I think the data will explain how / why the collision took place,” Schloegl wrote.
The sheriff’s representatives have declined to say what was discovered in the recorder.
“LASD is not releasing any further information at this time,” said Deputy Du Busky, a spokesperson for the department, in a statement on Friday. “The road accident investigation is underway and traffic investigators continue to work to determine the cause of the collision.”
The man named in the court documents did not immediately return requests for comment from The Associated Press.
Woods drove a 2021 GV80 made by luxury brand Hyundai to host the Genesis Invitational tournament at the Riviera Country Club. The SUV drove off a Los Angeles County road and crashed into a downhill stretch known for its wrecks.
Dr. Andre Campbell, a trauma surgeon at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, said it’s not uncommon for patients to lose consciousness or experience memory loss in major car accidents – especially if they sustain head injuries.
“This is a real credit to the modern technique that he is alive,” said Campbell, who is not involved in Woods’ treatment and generally spoke of trauma patients.
Campbell said the loss of consciousness can last only a few seconds, a few minutes, or even a few hours. The amnesia may never return, he said.
“Many times people will tell you, ‘I don’t remember what happened,’” he said.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva has said that Woods drove alone in good weather, that there was no evidence of impairment and that the crash was “purely an accident”.
Schloegl previously told USA Today that he wasn’t looking for a warrant for Woods’ blood samples, which could be screened for drugs and alcohol.
In 2017, Woods checked himself into a clinic for help treating prescription drugs after a DUI charge in Florida.
The crash injured Woods’s right leg, requiring lengthy surgery to stabilize shattered tibia and fibula bones in his right leg. A combination of screws and pins was used for ankle and foot injuries.
It was the 10th operation of his career and came two months after a fifth back operation. Despite all this, Woods has never been without games for a whole year, dating back to his first PGA Tour event as a 16-year-old in high school.