Tiger Woods was driving as fast as 87 mph – or more than 45 mph faster than the legal speed limit – before his SUV crashed in Southern California in late February, seriously injuring the golf legend, police said Wednesday.
Woods’s vehicle, a 2021 Genesis GV80 SUV, was traveling an estimated 120 mph when it crashed into a tree and began to roll over, police said, citing a data recorder in that luxury vehicle.
The recorder showed that the vehicle was traveling between 110 mph and 100 mph at some points before failing to make a turn in the roadway just outside Los Angeles.
Los Angeles County sheriff Alex Villanueva – who staunchly denied that Woods received favorable treatment from police in their investigation – said the accident on Feb. 23 was the result of a 45-year-old driving in what the sheriff called an unsafe manner. for road conditions.
At a press conference, Villanueva also said there was no evidence that Woods was affected or intoxicated at the time of the Feb. 23 crash in Rolling Hills Estates.
Police did not check that Woods was texting before the crash and said it was unnecessary.
Police also said they will not issue a citation for Woods, who is currently recovering at his Florida home. To issue a reckless driving ticket, police said would require evidence that Woods had committed multiple offenses before the crash, such as unsafe lane changes or passing other cars unsafe.
Woods cannot recall the collision, police said at the news conference.
Villanueva said he could only release the cause of the crash because Woods agreed. By law, the sheriff said, such accident reports are confidential unless those involved in the incident consent to their disclosure.
“The main causal factor for this traffic accident was driving at a speed unsafe for road conditions and the inability to make the turn of the roadway. The estimated speeds at the initial impact area were 84 to 140 miles per hour,” said Villanueva. .
Woods did not brake before crashing the car, according to police, who said the data recorder reveals he may have accidentally stepped on the accelerator rather than the brakes before the collision.
“I know there are some who say that he has somehow received special or preferential treatment, anyway, that is absolutely false,” Villanueva said.
“There were no signs of damage, our first concern when apparently at the impact site was its safety.”
Villanueva said there was no probable cause, such as open drink containers or signs of narcotics in the car, which allowed investigators to obtain a search warrant to test Woods’ blood for intoxicants.
The golfer, who was alone in the SUV, was trapped in the wreckage, which occurred after hitting a median strip in the road and then running into a thicket and hitting a tree at just before 7:12 a.m.PT on Feb. 23.
After being removed from the vehicle, Woods was taken to a local hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery for what one doctor at the time called “significant orthopedic injuries” to his right lower leg.
Woods’ epic career, with 82 PGA titles and wins at 15 major championships, was turned upside down in November 2009 after crashing another SUV into a fire hydrant just outside his then Florida hometown one morning.
Woods was unconscious from that crash for more than five minutes. His then-wife, Elin Nordegren, reportedly used a golf club to smash a window and drag him out of the car.
The incident sparked weeks of reports that Woods had been involved in multiple extramarital affairs. Soon after, he entered a clinic for treatment.
In May 2017, Woods was charged with drunk driving in Florida after police found him asleep in a damaged car.
In an apology later, Woods blamed “an unexpected reaction” to a mix of prescription drugs for his passing out.
“I want the public to know there was no alcohol involved,” Woods said at the time.
A month after that arrest, Woods entered a clinic for treatment for problems with prescription painkillers and a sleep disorder.
Woods would use painkillers to help him get up and move while he recovered from four back surgeries.