Excessive speed caused Tiger Woods to crash his SUV resulting in serious injuries, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced on Wednesday (April 7). According to an investigation by the sheriff’s department, the pro golfer was driving between 84 and 87 mph on a downhill road that had a 45-mph speed limit.
via: CNN
The golfer was driving a Genesis SUV around 7 a.m. February 23 when the vehicle veered off the road about 26 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles.
Woods was driving in Rancho Palos Verdes when he hit a “Welcome to Rolling Hills Estates” sign, crossed a center divider and traveled more than 150 feet across the shoulder through shrubbery and an uprooted tree before coming to a stop, according to a search warrant affidavit of the vehicle’s data recorder.
He likely mistook the gas pedal for the brakes, as no braking was detected, Capt. James Powers said.
“There is zero braking on that data recorder,” but “there is 99% acceleration on the pedal,” Powers said.
He said the car hit a tree, went airborne did a “pirouette” before It landed.
The SUV was traveling about 75 mph when it struck the tree, Villanueva said.
On Twitter, Woods thanked the good Samaritans who came to the crash site and called 911 and the first responders “for helping me so expertly at the scene and getting me safely to the hospital.”
“I will continue to focus on my recovery and my family, and thank everyone for the overwhelming support and encouragement I’ve received,” he wrote.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 7, 2021
Investigators did not seek a warrant for blood tests because there was no evidence of impairment or intoxication, Powers said.
Woods said he was not under any medication and had not been drinking, the captain said.
He said the golfer appeared “dazed and confused” and said he had no recollection of the crash.
Due to his injuries, “It would not be appropriate to do field sobriety tests,” Powers said.
Last month, Woods returned to his Florida home after being discharged from the hospital. On Twitter, he thanked his supporters and staff at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
