In the wake of Tiger Woods DUI Arrest in South Florida last week, pundits and the public have expressed all kinds of emotions about the actions of the 15-time major winner. Anger is high on the list, over Woods’ decision BACK put their lives at risk by getting behind the wheel in a suspected impaired condition. Empathy was also expressed. Anyone who has had addiction in their life knows the struggles Woods has faced on the golf course pale next to what he has fought off it.
On Thursday, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office Records Unit released body camera footage of the arrest, giving any interested onlookers a more vivid look at what happened in the moments after Woods flipped his Range Roger onto a two-lane road in Jupiter on Friday afternoon. The views are vast and disturbing.
At 2:50 p.m. ET — that was about 50 minutes after the crash — an officer’s dashcam shows Woods at the end of a driveway. Woods is wearing an ocean blue polo and shorts, and he has a compression stocking over his right knee. He’s on his phone.
“Mr. Woods!” the officer says, trying to get his attention.
As Woods approaches the officer, Woods ends his call and tells the officer, “I was just talking to the president.” It is unclear if Woods was referring to President Trump with whom he has a personal relationship. As Woods continues walking and nears the end of the driveway, he is met by longtime associate and friend Rob McNamara.
Ten minutes later, at 3:00 PM ET, footage shows Woods sitting on the bumper of a patrol car. He is fielding questions from another officer, including whether he had anything to drink earlier that day.
“None,” says Woods.
Officer: “Do you take any medicine?”
Woods: “Yeah, I get some.”
Motrin, says Woods. Ibuprofen. Other parts of his response have been redacted, but police reported finding two pills of hydrocodone, a semi-synthetic opioid, in Woods’ pants pocket, a scene that comes to light later in the video.
Officer: “Did you get them all today?”
Woods: “Yeah.”
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The officer then administers a field sobriety test on Woods that is designed to detect involuntary eye blinking. Next comes a coordination test in which Woods extends his clenched fists, one on top of the other, in front of his chest.
By 3:11 p.m., the officer made a determination. She asks Woods to face the hood of the car and put his hands behind his back.
As she places the handcuffs on Woods’ wrists, she says, “You’re under arrest for DUI.”
“Are you arresting me?” says Woods. He sounds incredulous.
“Yes, sir.”
Various clips of the police footage have been shared by media around the world. Some show only the arrest; others include more mundane details, such as police inspecting the trailer Woods cut and an unsuspecting cyclist approaching the scene to find the road is blocked. Throughout the arrest process, Woods is cordial and cooperative.
But he doesn’t look good.
on tuesday, Woods pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of DUI and refusal of lawful testing. Later that day, he released a statement that read: “I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today. I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary so that I can prioritize my well-being and work towards a long-term recovery. I am committed to taking the time necessary to get back to a healthier, stronger, professional and personal place.”
On Wednesday, a Florida judge granted Woods permission to travel outside the US to seek hospital treatment. Woods’ attorney, Douglas Duncan, wrote in a court motion that his client required “an intensive, highly individualized and integrated medical program.” The motion continued, “Constant medical scrutiny and public exposure create significant barriers to his care and would result in barriers and an inability to fully engage in treatment.”
There is a chilling video on police footage that shows Woods handcuffed in the back of a patrol car. Next stop: Martin County Jail. He has heavy eyes, constant hiccups and a blanket over his shoulders. There is a moment when he grimaces, drops his head back to the glass partition behind him and closes his eyes. We may never know what was going through Woods’ head in the cramped solitude of that back seat, but those images will endure.
