Tiger Woods’ ongoing struggles with prescription drugs resurfaced on Friday when he was charged with drunk driving following a recent car accident.
The 15-time major champion reportedly was under the influence of “some kind of drug or narcotic” when he flipped his luxury Land Rover on Jupiter Island around 2 p.m., as stated by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
This incident adds to Woods’ troubled history with substance abuse, having undergone several rehab stints related to prescription medication in the past.
Woods faced public scrutiny after a widely shared, tear-stained mugshot in 2017, when he was arrested for impaired driving while allegedly under the influence of drugs like Vicodin, Dilaudid, Xanax, Ambien, and THC.
On Memorial Day that year, police found him asleep at the wheel with the engine running in a vehicle parked about 25 miles from his residence. He later attributed this incident to a mix of painkillers.
He informed officers at the time that he was taking medication to manage pain from multiple back surgeries.
Since spring 2014, Woods has undergone four back surgeries, including a fusion procedure just two months prior to his earlier incident.
Latest updates on Tiger Woods’ Florida car accident
Ultimately, Woods pleaded guilty to reckless driving and agreed to a diversion program for first-time DUI offenders, also visiting a treatment clinic to address his painkiller dependence.
No injuries were reported from the latest accident. According to Martin County Sheriff John Budensake, Woods reportedly attempted to swerve when a flatbed truck entered the driveway at a high speed. He then lost control, striking the truck and overturning his Land Rover.
Although there were no signs of alcohol in a breath test, police noted that Woods seemed unusually lethargic.
Woods is currently being held in county jail.
