Woods told cops he spoke with 'the President' before arrest: bodycam footage
Tiger Woods is driven from the Martin County Jail after being arrested for driving under the influence after a car crash (JOE RAEDLE) Tiger Woods told police he was on the phone with "the President" immediately after his car crash in Florida and then expressed surprise when he was arrested, body camera video released Thursday showed. Footage showing the immediate aftermath of last week's rollover car crash that led to Woods stepping away from golf to seek treatment was shared by the Martin County Sheriff's Office. "I'll just keep you down here with us please," says a police officer to the golf superstar, as authorities investigate the scene.
"Yeah, I was just talking with the President," replies Woods, waving his phone as he walks back toward the officer. The 50-year-old winner of 15 major titles is shown taking a sobriety test and being handcuffed after that. "At this time, I do believe your normal faculties are impaired," a deputy tells Woods.
"And you're under an unknown substance, so at this time you are under arrest for DUI. " "I'm being arrested? " asks Woods, sounding astonished, as his arms are cuffed.
Police found two hydrocodone painkiller pills on Woods when he was arrested. Woods told deputies he had taken "a few" prescription medications earlier in the day and told authorities he had undergone seven back operations and more than 20 surgeries on his right leg, according to the arrest report. In the footage he is shown telling authorities that he was looking at his phone when he struck the trailer of another vehicle that had slowed in front of him.
"I looked down at my phone and all of a sudden, boom," Woods said. Woods has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence. He was also charged with refusing to take a urinalysis test.