Tiger Woods loses license for 5 years after copping DUI deal

Tiger Woods had his driver’s license suspended for five years on Wednesday, September 2, after striking a plea deal in his DUI case. 
Woods pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of reckless driving and refusal to submit to a lawful test in Martin County Circuit Court in Florida. 
As part of the agreement, Woods also agreed to pay $1,500 in fines. 
The golf legend also was found guilty of careless driving, a moving violation. 
Woods, 50, arrived at the court house with his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, and attorney, Doug Duncan. 
 

The 15-time major champion was arrested on suspicion of DUI and refusal to submit to a lawful test March 27 after his SUV clipped a trailer being hauled by a truck and rolled on its side. 
He had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges. 
Woods told authorities that he was looking down at his cellphone and changing the radio station in his SUV, which caused him not to see a truck slowing down, according to the affidavit. 
Martin County Sheriff Deputy Tatiana Levenar wrote in an arrest affidavit that Woods was “sweating profusely” and his movement was “lethargic and slow” while she interviewed him. 
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said on the day of the arrest that a Breathalyzer test didn’t show signs of alcohol in Woods’ system. Woods refused to submit to a urinalysis or blood test for other drugs, according to the sheriff. 
A Martin County sheriff’s deputy found two hydrocodone pills in Woods’ left pants pocket, according to the arrest affidavit. Prosecutors had obtained Woods’ medical and prescription drug records. 
Woods announced on March 31 that he was stepping away from golf for a “period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health.” He spent several weeks at an in-patient treatment facility in Switzerland. 
Woods made his first public appearance since his arrest on June 23, when he introduced PGA Tour CEO/commissioner Brian Rolapp during a news conference at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut. 
In 2017, Woods was arrested on suspicion of DUI after police officers found him asleep at the wheel in his running car, which had two flat tires and damage on the front and rear bumpers. Woods said he had taken a bad mix of painkillers. 
Woods later pleaded guilty to reckless driving and agreed to enter a diversion program as part of the plea deal. 
Woods checked into a treatment facility that year to get help with prescription drugs. 
In February 2021, Woods suffered significant leg injuries in a one-car crash outside of Los Angeles in which his SUV rolled several times and left him trapped inside. He later had surgery to deal with “open fractures” to his lower right leg, had a rod placed in a tibia and had screws and pins inserted in his foot and ankle during emergency surgery. Woods was hospitalized for three weeks following the surgery.