Tiger Woods Reaches Plea Deal in Florida Reckless Driving Case

Golf star Tiger Woods has reached a plea deal in Florida following his recent driving arrest. On Wednesday, he pleaded no contest to reckless driving in a Martin County court. Consequently, the judge has suspended his driver's license for five years. If he violates the terms of this suspension, he could face time in jail.

Woods, who is 50 years old, appeared at the courthouse in Stuart alongside his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump. He paid two fines that totaled 1,500 dollars before leaving without answering questions from reporters. His attorney, Douglas Duncan, initially entered a not guilty plea on his behalf in March. However, prosecutors agreed to reduce the charges from driving under the influence with property damage.

The incident occurred on March 27 on Jupiter Island, where Woods clipped a trailer with his Land Rover. This collision caused a rollover crash, and police arrested Woods after he failed a roadside sobriety test. He admitted that he was looking at his phone and changing the radio station. Deputies noted that he was sweating profusely and stumbling, and they found hydrocodone pills in his pocket.

State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl explained that proving a DUI in this specific case was particularly difficult. Two forensic toxicologists reviewed the evidence and concluded that there was insufficient proof of impairment. They determined that Woods developed a pharmacological tolerance to his prescribed pain medication. Bakkedahl stated that if a driver has a tolerance, the medication does not impair them.

Following his arrest, Woods announced he was stepping away from golf to seek treatment. He subsequently spent several weeks at a rehabilitation facility in Switzerland. This is not his first driving issue, as he pleaded guilty to reckless driving after a 2017 arrest.