Tiger Woods was driving nearly twice the speed limit before the Los Angeles car accident occurred

Tiger Woods was speeding when he crashed his SUV in February, leaving the 45-year-old golf legend behind serious injuriesauthorities said Wednesday. His vehicle was traveling between 84 and 87 mph in an area outside of Los Angeles with a speed limit of 45 mph, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said at a news conference.

“The main causal factor for this road accident was driving at a speed unsafe for road conditions and the inability to take the curve of the roadway,” said Villanueva.

On Feb. 23, Woods hit a median at around 7 a.m. local time in Rolling Hills Estates. His vehicle went off the road, hit a tree and rolled over in an area known for accidents. Woods has spent weeks in hospital after surgery and is now recovering at home.

Citing the vehicle’s data recorder, police found that Woods “accidentally” stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake after hitting the central reservation, causing high speeds during the collision. The vehicle was traveling at 120 km / h when it hit a tree.

The sheriff reiterated there was no evidence that Woods had been compromised and said it was not appropriate to give Woods a field sobriety test given the serious nature of his injuries on the spot. He said Woods and his team cooperated throughout the investigation.

“While investigators interviewed him on site and at the hospital, those questions were asked and there was nothing to indicate intoxication,” said Captain James Powers.

Villanueva said his office did not issue a citation because the speeding was not observed by a police officer or witnesses and no other concern was involved – which is the department’s policy. The sheriff also denied giving Woods any special treatment during the investigation.

In a statement On Wednesday, Woods thanked the delegates and firefighters who responded to the February crash. “I will continue to focus on my recovery and family and thank everyone for the overwhelming support and encouragement I have received during this very difficult time,” he said.