Daniel Kozin
Up to date ,first printed
Tiger Woods pleaded no contest to a reckless driving cost and his driver’s licence was suspended for 5 years on Wednesday following a rollover crash in March in Florida, the place he initially was accused of driving beneath the affect (DUI).
Earlier than the listening to in Marin County started, Woods, 50, sat on the defence desk wanting again on the principally empty courtroom gallery. He mentioned little as he agreed to the lowered cost.
He arrived on the courthouse together with his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, US President Donald Trump’s former daughter-in-law, and he or she sat behind him through the proceedings.
Woods, nonetheless certainly one of golf’s most influential figures and as recognisable as any athlete on the earth, has had a outstanding fall since profitable the 2019 Masters for his fifteenth main. His profession has been derailed by a number of again and knee surgical procedures, automotive crashes and dependence on ache treatment.
He was arrested in March after his SUV clipped a truck and rolled over on its facet on a beachside residential highway close to his residence on Jupiter Island. A sheriff’s report mentioned deputies discovered two ache tablets in his pocket and he confirmed indicators of impairment. He did a Breathalyser take a look at, which got here out adverse, however refused to take a urine take a look at.
He had pleaded not responsible to the unique DUI cost.
The prosecutor within the case mentioned two toxicologists discovered there was inadequate proof of his impairment and decided Woods had constructed up a “pharmacological” tolerance.
Thomas Bakkedahl, a state lawyer, defended his resolution to just accept the plea, saying, “I did what I feel is true.”
Woods left the courthouse with out addressing reporters. He additionally pleaded no contest to refusing to undergo testing after the crash and was fined $US1500 ($2092), in line with courtroom paperwork.
“For those who had been to drive for any motive in any respect, you’ll instantly return to jail,” Choose Darren Steele informed Woods.
Woods’ lawyer didn’t instantly reply to a message looking for remark.
A no-contest plea is just not an act of contrition, however means the accused will provide no defence. The plea is handled as a conviction within the prison justice system.
Neither Woods nor the individual within the different car had been injured within the crash, in line with officers. However his Land Rover triggered $US5000 ($7000) in injury to the truck, in line with a police report. Woods had informed a deputy that he was wanting down at his cellphone and altering the radio station when he hit the truck.
Woods has been concerned in 4 crashes through the years. He took a depart from the golf tour after the 2009 crash and once more after the most recent crash and has but to return to match play.
He left the US to hunt remedy at an inpatient remedy facility, in line with courtroom information.