Tiger Woods arrest bodycam footage shows him saying he 'called Trump' after crash
Topics: Tiger Woods, Donald Trump, US News
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP via Getty Images
Topics: Tiger Woods, Donald Trump, US News
Bodycam footage released by police shows Tiger Woods talking to 'the president' after being involved in a car crash last Friday.
The golfing legend was attempting to overtake a trailer near his home in Jupiter Island when he clipped the vehicle and rolled his Range Rover onto the side of the road.
Woods was able to leave the car through the passenger side and escaped without any injuries following the incident.
However, the 15-times Master champion was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.
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"Based on my observations of Woods, how he performed the exercises and based on my training, knowledge, and experience, I believed that Woods' normal faculties were impaired, and he was unable to safely operate the motor vehicle," a police deputy said.
The 50-year-old was released on bail later on in the day and has since written a plea of not guilty after skipping an initial court appearance on Tuesday.
Woods is scheduled to attend an arraignment hearing on April 23.
Martin County Sheriff’s Office has since released bodycam footage of the aftermath of the crash, which saw officers approaching the golfing legend down a path.
Woods can be heard saying 'thank you so much' before he was asked by the police officer to stay 'down here with us please'.
The golfer then replied: “Yeah, I was just talking to the president.”
Following the crash last week, President Trump spoke to the press about Woods, who he described as a 'close friend'.
Trump said: "I feel so badly. He’s got some difficulty. He’s a very close friend of mine, he’s an amazing person, an amazing man.”
The bodycam footage also shows Woods being assessed following the crash as he explained he felt a 'boom' following the shunt.
"I look down at my phone and all of a sudden… boom," he said of the crash.
Woods stated he was comfortable, before a police officer told the golfing star he would be checked over by a doctor.
Elsewhere in the footage, Martin County Sheriff’s deputy Tatiana Levenar told Woods: "I do believe your normal faculties are impaired, and you’re under an unknown substance, so at this time you’re under arrest for DUI."
“I’m being arrested?” the golfer then stated, to which Levenar responded: "Yes, sir."
In recent days, Woods has issued a statement on X and said he was stepping away to focus on 'lasting recovery'.
He wrote: "I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today. I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.
"I'm committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate our understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time."