Woods did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the early-morning incident, and underwent surgery after the roll-over collision, said Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva.
“He was able to communicate. He was conscious,” he said, adding that Woods was in “serious, but stable condition as a result of the accident.”
Villanueva told a press conference that there’s no evidence right now that Woods was impaired during the crash, but no blood was drawn at the scene because the sheriff’s office does not have that capability.
The sheriff said Woods appears to have been traveling at a “relatively greater speed than normal” in the early morning accident. Villanueva said there were no skid marks or signs of braking.
However, he said the investigation will take several weeks.
Authorities said Woods’ injuries are not considered life-threatening. They said Woods’ management team did not want them to divulge more about the golfer’s condition.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said deputies responded at approximately 7:12 a.m. to the scene of a rollover in the area between Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes.
Woods was extricated from the car through the windshield area and taken to the hospital via ambulance. Jaws of life were not used, officials said, updating an earlier report.
“Tiger Woods was in a single-car accident this morning in California where he suffered multiple leg injuries. He is currently in surgery and we thank you for your privacy and support,” said Mark Steinberg, Woods’ agent.
Woods was on his way to Rolling Hills Country Club to give a lesson to NFL quarterbacks Drew Brees and Justin Herbert, Fox News and ESPN reported. (AFP, Reuters)