Tiger Woods Accepts Plea Deal, Facing Five-Year Driving Ban

Professional golfer Tiger Woods has resolved his Florida driving case through a plea agreement, pleading no contest to reckless driving on Wednesday. Consequently, his driver's license was suspended for five years by a Martin County court. If Woods violates the conditions of this suspension, he could face jail time.

The 50-year-old athlete, who has won 15 major championships, arrived at the courthouse in Stuart with his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump. His lawyer, Douglas Duncan, had initially entered a not guilty plea to driving under the influence with property damage. However, that charge was reduced on Wednesday to willful wanton reckless driving, which is a second offense for the golfer. Woods paid fines of 1,000 dollars and 500 dollars for the reduced charges, refusing to answer questions as he left the building.

The charges arose from a March 27 incident on Jupiter Island. Woods clipped a trailer with his Land Rover, causing a rollover crash. Woods told police he was looking at his phone and changing the radio station when the crash occurred. After failing a roadside sobriety test, he was arrested by deputies who found hydrocodone pills in his pocket. Deputies also reported that he was sweating profusely and stumbling while sitting in the patrol car.

State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl explained that proving a DUI would have been exceptionally difficult. Two forensic toxicologists reviewed the evidence and concluded that there was insufficient proof of impairment. They determined that Woods had developed a pharmacological tolerance to the prescribed medication. Bakkedahl noted that if a driver has a tolerance, the drug does not impair them, meaning a DUI cannot be proven.

Following the crash, Woods announced he was stepping away from golf to seek treatment, subsequently spending weeks at a Swiss clinic. This case mirrors a 2017 incident in Palm Beach County, where Woods also pleaded guilty to reckless driving.