No. 1 golfer Scotty Scheffler has been charged with second-degree assault on a police officer after Scheffler’s car allegedly dragged him to the ground and injured him while directing traffic outside this week’s PGA Championship venue. was charged with a crime.
Scheffler, who is competing for a $20 million purse at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, was charged with third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and running a police red light for what the golfer called a “big misunderstanding.” He has also been charged with a crime. ”Friday morning.
Traffic was stopped outside a busy golf club and Detective Brian Gillis was directing vehicles on Shelbyville Road after a man was struck and killed by a shuttle bus in the early morning hours, a source said. police report Obtained by ESPN.
Gillis was standing in the westbound lane when Schaeffler’s SUV pulled into the lane “to avoid traffic congestion,” the newspaper said. Louisville Police Department said Gillis was wearing a police uniform and a “high-visibility yellow reflective rain jacket.”
When the detective stopped Scheffler’s vehicle and attempted to give him commands, “the subject did not respond and accelerated, dragging Detective Gillis to the ground,” the report states.
Police said the detective suffered “pain, swelling and abrasions” to his left wrist and knee after being dragged and had to be taken to the emergency room by medical personnel.
The professional golfer was arrested, but was released without bail at 8:40 a.m. and returned to his golf club less than an hour before teeing off, ESPN reported.
Mr. Scheffler is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on Tuesday morning.
“This morning, I was acting at the direction of a police officer,” Scheffler said in a statement posted to his Instagram Story. “It was a very confusing situation, which is understandable given the tragic accident that had occurred earlier. There was a huge misunderstanding of what I thought was being asked of me.”
“I had no intention of ignoring any instructions,” he insisted. “Today I want to put that aside and focus on golf.”
He added that his “heartfelt condolences” go to the family of the man who died in the shuttle bus accident earlier in the day.
“It really puts everything into perspective,” the golfer added.
Statement from Scotty Scheffler. He called it a “very chaotic situation.” pic.twitter.com/hS6OdqpZwD
— Sean Zak (@Sean_Zak) May 17, 2024
ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, who was at the scene of the crash, said Scheffler appeared to be driving near the crash site when Gillis was injured.
At one point, the detective was “attached” to the side of Schaeffler’s SUV, the newspaper reported.
Scheffler’s attorney, Steven Romines, told ESPN that his client had no knowledge of the fatal accident and was just “going to Valhalla to exercise.”
“He was preparing for tee time. They were directing traffic. He presented his credentials and went in as directed.” “Apparently there had been a traffic accident, possibly a fatality, under the road that was changing the traffic pattern, but he was not aware of it.”
Romines spoke to reporters outside the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections.
The misunderstanding arose because Gillis was not part of the event’s regular traffic personnel. ”
“They are allowed to pass through. That’s why they have certificates of eligibility and wave-throughs,” the lawyer said. “[Scheffler] He did not know there was a shipwreck, so he proceeded as instructed. He did as instructed to enter the premises. ”
Romines added that his client intends to cooperate with police and said, “We will deal with the situation as it progresses.”
“Our greatest concern today remains the family of John Mills, who was killed in a tragic accident while on his way to work early this morning,” the PGA of America said in a statement obtained by ESPN. ” he said. “As it relates to the incident involving Mr. Scotty Scheffler, we are fully cooperating with local authorities as they investigate what happened. While the legal process proceeds, Questions should be directed to Schaeffler’s attorneys or local authorities.”
Mills, a 69-year-old resident of Crestwood, Kentucky, was an employee of one of the PGA’s vendors, the association said.
“This is a heartbreaking incident for all of us involved in the PGA Championship. Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones,” the PGA of America said in a statement. statement Obtained from WAVE.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg also expressed his condolences to Mills’ loved ones on the matter.
“This morning, a tragic accident occurred in our city that claimed the life of Louisville resident John Mills. Mr. Mills will be greatly missed by his family and community,” he wrote. Ta. “Our focus is on this family who has lost a loved one. We have spoken with Mr. Mills’ family to extend our condolences to our city.”
Mayor Greenberg’s statement. pic.twitter.com/Ey0vtgnfqr
— Mayor Craig Greenberg (@LouisvilleMayor) May 17, 2024
