Tiger Woods will get a careless driving citation for a car crash outside his Orlando-area mansion last week, but will not face criminal charges, the Florida Highway Patrol said Wednesday.
Woods faces a US$164 fine and four points against his driver's licence. The citation will close the investigation.
"Despite the celebrity status of Mr. Woods, the Florida Highway Patrol has completed its investigation in the same professional manner it strives to complete each traffic investigation," Sgt. Kim Montes said.
According to a patrol accident report, Woods crashed his SUV into a fire hydrant and a tree at 2:25 a.m. Friday (local time). The airbags did not deploy and Woods' wife told Windermere police she used a golf club to smash the back windows to help him out.
Woods withdrew Tuesday from his own golf tournament, citing injuries from the crash.
The crash came two days after The National Enquirer published a story alleging that Woods had been seeing a New York nightclub hostess, and that they recently were together in Melbourne, where Woods competed in the Australian Masters. The woman, Rachel Uchitel, denied having an affair with Woods when contacted by The Associated Press.
An attorney for the neighbours who dialed 911 after the crash said Woods did not appear to be driving under the influence and showed no signs of having been in a fight. The Florida Highway Patrol said there were no claims of domestic violence and no reason to issue a subpoena for medical evidence.
Woods' injuries were "consistent with a car wreck and inconsistent with him being beat up," said Bill Sharpe, the attorney for the neighbours. "The scratches on his face were consistent with someone who maybe was in a minor car accident and hit his head on the windshield. ... None of his injuries looked like he was beat up by his wife."
In its initial accident report, the Florida Highway Patrol said alcohol was not involved.
Sharpe said neighbour Linda Adams and her two adult sons went outside their home in the exclusive gated community of Isleworth after hearing the crash and Woods' wife, Elin Nordegren, asked them to call the 911 emergency number.
He said the neighbours found Nordegren kneeling beside her husband, upset about his injuries. Sharpe said Woods appeared woozy and had scratches on his face and that his wife was trying to console him. The Adamses wrapped Woods in a blanket and made sure he didn't move.
Tabloid speculation has focused on whether Woods and his wife were fighting before the accident.
"One thing we want to make clear is that Mrs. Woods' attitude was consistent with her being concerned about her injured husband," Sharpe said.
"Mrs. Woods was trying to help him. Mrs. Woods was worried about her husband. She was concerned."
Sharpe said the Adams family did not see the crash and did not see Woods' wife with a golf club. He said he was hired to get the message out that the Adams family members have told investigators everything they know about the crash and aren't hiding anything.
By skipping his tournament, Woods will escape the TV cameras and a horde of media seeking more details. The tournament was to be the last of the year for Woods anyway, and he did not say when or where he would make his return next year.
When healthy, he has made his season debut at Torrey Pines every year since 2006. The San Diego Invitational this year is scheduled the week of January 25. That could mean Woods avoids the media for 10 weeks.
Highway patrol statement about Woods' car crash
The Florida Highway Patrol has concluded its investigation of the vehicle crash involving Mr. Tiger Woods. The investigation has determined that Mr. Woods is at fault in the crash. This afternoon, FHP issued a uniform traffic citation for careless driving to Mr. Woods.
Any person operating a vehicle upon the streets and highways within the state is required by law to drive in a careful and prudent manner so as not to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person. Failure to drive in such a manner is defined as careless driving. Careless driving is a moving violation and upon conviction may result in a fine of $164 and four points on a driver's record.
This was a single vehicle crash, with a single occupant. Unfortunately, it is one of thousands that occur in our state each year. Mr. Woods has satisfied the requirements of Florida law by providing his driver license, registration and proof of insurance to us. With the issuance of the citation, the Florida Highway Patrol has completed its investigation into this matter.
The FHP is not pursing criminal charges in this matter, nor is there any testimony or other evidence to support additional charges of any kind. After reviewing the evidence available to us, and in consultation with the Office of State Attorney Lawson Lamar, it was determined that there was insufficient evidence available to issue a subpoena for additional medical information that may exist in this case. We cannot speak to the existence of any blood evidence, nor are there claims of domestic violence by any individual.
The Florida Highway Patrol will not conduct additional press conferences or interviews on this matter.
A copy of the crash investigation report is a matter of public record and will be finalised and available to members of the media by noon tomorrow for US$10. Additionally, a supplemental package of all photographs taken at the scene is available as a matter of public record for a fee of US$105. Media representatives wishing to obtain these documents in person may contact the Florida Highway Patrol Office located at 133 South Semoran Blvd., Suite A, Orlando, FL 32807.