Tiger Woods reaches plea deal in DUI case, loses driver’s license for five years

Tiger Woods reached a plea deal Wednesday in Florida stemming from his March rollover crash, avoiding jail time but receiving a five‑year suspension of his driver’s license. The 50‑year‑old golfer appeared in Martin County Court in Stuart and entered a no‑contest plea to reduced charges. Martin County State Attorney Alex Bakkedahl said prosecutors ultimately determined they could not found a DUI case beyond a tenable doubt. Prosecutors amended the original DUI complaint to willful and wanton reckless driving, second offense, and a separate complaint regarding his refusal to submit to investigation was reduced to a careless‑driving citation. The two five‑year license suspensions will run concurrently. Authorities said his Land Rover struck a truck while he was attempting to pass on March 27 on Jupiter Island, causing the SUV to roll onto its side; no one was injured. Deputies reported that Woods showed signs of impairment, a blood test detected no alcohol. He declined a urine test, and authorities recovered two hydrocodone pills in his possession. Woods told investigators he had been looking at his phone and changing the radio earlier the collision. Two forensic toxicologists who reviewed the grounds concluded determination was insufficient impervious that Woods was impaired and indicated helium had developed a tolerance to hydrocodone. Prosecutors besides had nary urine illustration to found what substances were successful his strategy at the clip of the crash. Woods was ordered to wage $1,500 in fines, according to tribunal reporting, and Judge Darren Steele warned him that driving during the suspension would effect successful contiguous jailhouse time. Woods arrived and near tribunal with his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, and did not reply questions from reporters. The case has also affected Woods’ playing schedule. After his arrest, he announced that he was stepping away from competition to focus on attention and subsequently spent several weeks at an attention installation in Switzerland. The 15‑time major champion has not competed in a PGA Tour event since the 2024 British Open.