Inside Tiger Woods’ History of Car Crashes During DUI Arrests

Tiger Woods‘ The 2026 DUI arrest was the latest in a string of serious car accidents for the golfer.

Police in Jupiter, Florida, confirmed on March 27, 2026, that Woods was charged with driving under the influence, among other charges, when an SUV was found on its side after a two-vehicle crash. No injuries were reported and Woods has not discussed the matter publicly.

Woods’ trouble on the road began in the early hours of November 27, 2009, when Florida police responded to an emergency call near his Orlando home. Woods later called the situation “a private matter,” but the injury kept him off the golf course at the Chevron World Challenge later that month.

Eight years later, Woods pleaded guilty to reckless driving when he was involved in another accident near his home in Florida. His worst accident happened in 2021 when his SUV rolled over in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, requiring emergency surgery.

Keep scrolling to find out more about Woods’ history with car crashes.

Tiger Woods Was Cited For Reckless Driving In November 2009

Tiger Woods’ infamous cheating scandal made headlines when news broke that he crashed his Cadillac Escalade into a fire hydrant and a tree near his home around 2:30 am ET on November 27, 2009. His wife at the time, Elin Nordegrenhe was at the scene.

Woods was treated for facial injuries and ended up pulling out of several appearances that month, including his Chevron World Challenge charity event.

There was much speculation about what caused the accident but Woods issued a statement accepting full responsibility.

“The only person who caused this accident is me,” he emphasized. My wife, Elin, was brave when she saw that I was injured and in trouble, and she was the first person to help me.

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The golfer continued, “As you all know, I was in a single car accident earlier this week, and I was injured. I have cuts, bruises and right now I’m in a lot of pain.”

“This situation is my fault, and obviously it embarrasses me and my family, I am human and imperfect, I will make sure that this does not happen again,” he vowed. “This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way. While I understand there is curiosity, the many false, baseless and malicious rumors currently being circulated about my family and I are irrelevant.”

Woods paid a $164 fine to settle a reckless driving charge, according to current reports.

Tiger Woods Arrested for DUI in 2017

On May 29, 2017, in Jupiter Island, Florida, police allegedly found Tiger Woods asleep behind the wheel of his SUV while stopped at a traffic light with the engine running.

Woods initially pleaded guilty when he was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. However, he eventually agreed to plead guilty to reckless driving and was ordered to perform 50 hours of community service, complete a year of probation and pay a $250 fine.

At the time, Woods issued a statement to reassure the public that he understood “the gravity of what I did.”

“I take full responsibility for my actions,” he told ABC News. “I want the public to know that alcohol did not affect me. What happened was an unexpected reaction to the drugs that were given to me. I did not realize that the mixture of drugs affected me so much.”

He added, “I would like to apologize with all my heart to my family, friends and fans. I have high expectations for myself.”

Tiger Woods Seriously Injured in 2021 Car Accident

Four years after his reckless driving conviction, Tiger Woods was seriously injured in a rollover accident in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, on February 23, 2021. No charges were filed but Woods had to be taken to Harbor–UCLA Medical Center with a broken ankle and two broken legs.

Woods said later Golf Magazine in May 2021 that recovering from his injury was the biggest challenge in his life.

“I understand the recovery process very well because of my previous injuries, but this was more painful than anything I’ve ever experienced,” he told the publication. “My physical therapy has been keeping me busy. I’m doing my routines every day and I’m focused on my No. 1 goal right now: walking on my own. One step at a time.”

Tiger Woods Charged with DUI in March 2026

Jupiter Island, Florida, Sheriff John Budensiek held a press conference on March 27, 2026 to confirm that Tiger Woods had been charged with drunken driving, vandalism and resisting legal testing after refusing a urine test.

Woods is said to have been involved in a two-car accident around 2:00 local time. No injuries were reported, although a Land Rover was found on its side.

Woods was booked and released after eight hours in police custody. Budensiek told the media later that day that it led to Woods facing criminal charges.

“Our DUI investigators came to the scene here. Mr. Woods exemplified the signs of impairment,” the sheriff said at a press conference. “They checked many times. He explained the injuries and the surgery he had done. We took that into consideration.”

Budensiek continued, “Mr. Woods did a three-zero breathalyzer test, but when it came time for us to request a urine test, he refused, so he was charged with DUI, vandalism and refusing to take a legal test.”

“We know that we have arrested a high-ranking person … but it does not matter who he is,” warned the police officer. “If you break the law, we’re going to follow the law. That’s a really easy way to take it.”

A mugshot was released that day, showing Woods in a blue shirt and blankly facing the camera.

“As for him being in jail, we’ll make sure he’s safe. We won’t put him out in the community,” assured Sheriff Budensiek. “He will not have other prisoners who can harm him or try to take advantage of what he has done, he will pay but he will not pay by being punished in prison.”

Us Weekly contacted Woods for comment.