Tiger Woods is scheduled to appear before Martin County Judge Darren Steele on September 2 for a change of plea hearing related to his March DUI arrest. The golf legend was arrested by Martin County sheriff’s deputies following a crash on South Beach Road on Jupiter Island, according to court records. The incident resulted in charges of driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a DUI test.
Details of the Arrest and Investigation
The arrest occurred after Woods’ Land Rover struck a trailer attached to a pickup truck traveling ahead of him on South Beach Road, causing his sport utility vehicle to roll onto its driver’s side. During the investigation, Woods reported he had not consumed alcoholic beverages but stated he takes prescription medication for high blood pressure and cholesterol, including ibuprofen and Vicodin. Investigators noted that Woods’ eyes were glassy and bloodshot with extremely dilated pupils, and he was described as sweating profusely, a story we covered in Tiger Woods to Appear in Florida Court for DUI Case Hearing.
Court Proceedings and Medical Treatment
Woods agreed to field sobriety exercises, after which investigators determined his normal faculties were impaired and he could not safely operate the vehicle. A search revealed two hydrocodone pills in his pants pocket. Although breath tests at Martin County Jail measured his blood-alcohol content at 0.00 on two occasions—a reading of 0.08 or higher is considered illegal—Judge Darren Steele ordered prosecutors to review Woods’ prescription records and hospital records from Cleveland Clinic Martin South Hospital, a story we covered in Florida Golfer Charged With Felony Child Abuse After Assault on Teen Over Slow P.
Legal Status and Next Steps
In addition to the DUI charges, Woods was issued a traffic citation for careless driving, carrying a $163 civil penalty. A status hearing previously set for September 8 has been superseded by this mandatory change of plea appearance at 8:30 a.m. Court documents indicate that on April 1, Steele approved Woods’ request to travel out of the country to begin comprehensive inpatient treatment following his arrest.
