Tiger Woods had marijuana and four other drugs in his system when he was arrested on a DUI charge in Jupiter, Florida in May, a report released by police on Tuesday revealed.
The report was released a few days after Woods agreed to take a plea deal and enter a diversion program to settle his DUI charge. It says Woods, 41, had marijuana, the anti-insomnia drug Ambien, the anxiety drug Xanax, as well as the painkillers Dilaudid and Vicodin in his system when he was arrested on May 29.
Police found Woods unconscious in his vehicle at around 3 a.m. on Military Trail, south of Indian Creek Parkway. His vehicle had damage to the driver’s side, but it is unclear how it was damaged. He was booked into jail at 7:18 a.m. and was released on his own recognizance four hours later, jail records show.
Woods released a statement later that day blaming prescribed medication he was taking for causing an “unexpected reaction.”
“I understand the severity of what I did and I take full responsibility for my actions,” Woods said. “I want the public to know that alcohol was not involved. What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications. I didn’t realize the mix of medications had affected me so strongly.”
Woods also apologized to his family, friends, and fans, saying he “will do everything” in his power to ensure it never happens again.
Following the release of the police report on Monday, Woods issued another statement saying he had been treating his insomnia and pain from back surgery he underwent in April on his own. He did not mention the marijuana.
“I realize now it was a mistake to do this without medical assistance,” he said. “I am continuing to work with my doctors, and they feel I’ve made significant progress.”
Woods has been plagued with injuries in recent years and even withdrew from the Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens in February because of back problems, sources say. The fusion surgery he underwent in April was his fourth back operation. In his Tuesday statement, Woods said his back is improving.
“I recently spoke to my surgeon and he’s very pleased with how my fusion is healing,” he said. “I’m right on schedule. I’m doing some light lifting, riding a stationary bike and putting a little.”
Woods will reportedly plead guilty to reckless driving in October. Under the plea deal, prosecutors would drop the more severe DUI charge. In exchange, Woods will pay a $250 fine and spend a year in probation. He would also have to attend DUI school, commit to 50 hours of community service, and attend a workshop where victims of DUI drivers talk about how their lives were affected.
Florida has some of the most severe DUI laws in the country because of all the deaths, particularly of youth, that have been caused by DUI offenders. As a minimum requirement, anyone convicted of the charge receives a combined sentence that might include community service, fines, DUI school, driver’s license suspension, and restitution where appropriate. This, among other reasons, is why it is necessary for offenders to hire an experienced DUI attorney to help them identify defenses that may enable them to win their case.
Source: 8.16.17 Tiger Woods Had Marijuana and Other Drugs in His System After Jupiter DUI Arrest.pdf