Tiger Woods Accident Updates: No Evidence of Impairment According to LA County Sheriff

Tiger Woods Accident Updates: No Evidence of Impairment According to LA County Sheriff article feature image
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Jamie Squire/Getty Images. Pictured: Tiger Woods

UPDATE (6:10 p.m. ET): Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva addressed media this afternoon to clarify further details about Tuesday's single-car accident involving Tiger Woods.

Villanueva said that there was no evidence of impairment at the time of the incident. He added that the vehicle traveled "several hundred feet" from the center divider where the incident took place and that a traffic investigation is underway.

L.A. County Fire Chief Daryl Osby followed Villanueva in the press conference to correct earlier reports regarding the use of Jaws of Life — that tool was not used to extract Woods from the vehicle, rather a Halligan tool and an axe were used to pry Woods out.

Villanueva said that despite needing to be extracted, Woods was in "stable condition" with "serious injuries" at the time of the incident.

"The front end [of the vehicle] was totally destroyed — the bumpers and everything was destroyed, airbags deployed, all of that. However, thankfully, the interior was more or less in tact which kind of gave him the cushion to survive what otherwise would have been a fatal crash," Villanueva said.

He added that Woods was wearing a seat belt.

L.A. County Deputy Carlos Gonzalez, the first deputy on the scene of the incident, said that Woods was not able to stand "under his own power" but was "calm and lucid."

Osby also added: "The fact of the matter is that he was in serious condition but he was stable enough to transport to a trauma center" rather than the closest hospital.

Multiple reports indicate that Woods was on his way to meet Saints quarterback Drew Brees at the time of the incident.


Tiger Woods was involved in a single-vehicle accident on Tuesday morning, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed. The LASD confirmed his injuries are non-life-threatening.

Mark Steinberg, Woods' agent, released the following statement shortly after:

"Tiger Woods was in a single-car accident this morning in California where he suffered multiple leg injuries. He is currently in surgery and we thank you for your privacy and support."

Woods, the only occupant of the vehicle, was transported to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center by ambulance to be treated for "moderate to critical" injuries suffered in the crash, the Los Angeles County Fire Department told CNN.

LASD Lt. Michael White told reporters the injuries are non-life-threatening. "It’s a steep grade where you could pick up substantial speed," White said about the site of the accident.

According to the LASD, Woods was the driver of a car involved in a roll-over collision. The vehicle suffered "major damage." The original statement said Woods was "extricated from the wreck with the jaws of life by Los Angeles County firefighters and paramedics," but the Sheriff's Department recanted that part of the statement.

Jaws of Life refers to hydraulic tools used to pry open vehicles involved in accidents when a victim may be trapped.

Woods was transported to a hospital to be treated for his injuries while the accident is investigated.

The PGA Tour released the following statement:

"We have been made aware of Tiger Woods' car accident today. We are awaiting further information when he comes out of surgery. On behalf of the PGA TOUR and our players, Tiger is in our prayers and will have our full support as he recovers."

Woods appeared on the broadcast of the Genesis Invitational, participating in an interview about the tournament and his foundation before presenting winner Max Homa with his trophy.

Former NBA star Dwyane Wade shared a video of himself on a golf course with Woods on Monday. The accident happened at approximately 7:12 a.m. local time on Tuesday.

Editor's note: This story previously specified that Woods and Wade played at Riviera Country Club.

Dwyane Wade: How good am I?
Tiger Woods: 😐 Good 😐

( 🎥: @dwyanewade via IG) pic.twitter.com/UQUfNJWa0A

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) February 23, 2021

Woods has not played since the Masters Tournament in November. He underwent back surgery in January, the fifth procedure done on his back. His return to the course was not known, although he originally hoped to return by the Masters in April.

When asked about his return on Sunday by Jim Nantz, Woods was non-committal.

The Action Network will update as more news becomes available.

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