Golfer Tiger Woods has received a plea deal that reduced his original charge of driving under the influence to reckless driving following a February rollover crash near his Florida home. Woods pleaded no contest to the reduced charge and was fined $1,500. A separate charge for refusing a urine test was also dismissed.
Judge Darren Steele handed down a five-year suspension of Woods' driver's license, stating it was "for the safety of the public." Woods, 50, appeared in Martin County court with girlfriend Vanessa Trump on Wednesday. Prosecutors concluded they could not prove impairment beyond a reasonable doubt, citing Woods' tolerance to hydrocodone, a prescription opioid found in his pocket. He had a prescription for the medication and admitted to taking it. He passed a Breathalyzer test.
The crash occurred in March when Woods was reportedly attempting to overtake a truck on a two-lane road, clipped the trailer, and lost control of his Land Rover, which overturned. Woods exited the vehicle through the passenger door. Thankfully, no one was injured.
This incident marks Woods' fourth significant driving incident in 17 years. In 2009, he crashed his Cadillac Escalade into a fire hydrant and tree outside his Florida home, leading to a careless driving citation. In 2017, he was found asleep behind the wheel of his Mercedes on the side of a Florida road, later pleading guilty to reckless driving after toxicology reports showed multiple prescription drugs in his system. In February 2021, Woods was driving at speeds up to 87 mph in a 45 mph zone when he veered off the road and crashed, suffering a shattered right leg and requiring extrication from the vehicle.
During the March incident, police body camera footage captured Woods telling a deputy he was "just talking to the president" shortly after the crash. Woods has a long-standing friendship with then-President Donald Trump, and Woods is dating Trump's former daughter-in-law. Trump commented on the arrest, expressing sympathy for Woods and calling him "a very close friend of mine."
Critics have voiced outrage over the leniency of the plea deal, questioning whether an ordinary citizen with a similar driving record would receive the same outcome. The five-year license suspension, while seemingly significant, is viewed by some as a minor inconvenience for a billionaire who can afford alternative transportation. Woods will be eligible to reapply for his license at age 55.