A Florida judge ruled Tuesday morning that prosecutors will gain access to Tiger Woods’ prescription drug records in his ongoing impaired driving case following his arrest in March, the AP reported.
Judge Darren Steele approved the deal between Woods’ defense attorney and prosecutors after a four-minute hearing in Martin County Circuit Court, north of Palm Beach County.
Defense attorney Douglas Duncan told the court, “Even if the state has a legal right to the records, the defendant still retains a constitutional interest in protecting the privacy of regulatory records that concern the general public.”
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A subpoena was issued requesting Woods’ medical records
Prosecutors previously issued a subpoena demanding copies of all prescription drug records for the legendary golfer at a Palm Beach pharmacy from the beginning of the year through the end of March, according to reports. Citing Woods’ constitutional rights, the defense attorney argued that the golfer has a right to privacy regarding his prescription medication. However, Duncan acknowledged later in the hearing that the right is not absolute and that prosecutors can make a compelling case for why they are needed.
Prosecutors, meanwhile, agreed to Duncan’s request for a protective order limiting the release of the records to prosecutors, police officers, state experts and Woods’ defense team.
He pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanors: driving under the influence (DUI) with property damage and refusing to submit to a legal test.
Tiger Woods’ DUI case
In late March, Woods was charged with DUI after a vehicle crash in Jupiter, Fla., the local sheriff said, CBS News reported. Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek told reporters at a press conference that the incident occurred when a pickup truck pulling a small trailer was turning into a driveway and noticed a Land Rover passing it at what authorities described as a “high rate of speed.” While officials have not confirmed the exact speed of the vehicle, Budenseik noted that the speed limit in the area is 30 miles per hour.
The local sheriff added that the Land Rover driven by the legendary golfer swerved at the last minute to avoid a collision. However, it ended up clipping the back of the trailer, tipping it onto the driver’s side, and moving it. The vehicle did not overturn completely, but slid down the road to gain “a fair amount of space” before coming to a stop, Budensiek said.
Woods, 50, was able to get out of the vehicle on the passenger side and neither driver was injured. But he did show signs of impairment, the sheriff noted, adding that the golfer was given several road tests and also breathalyzed and “blew triple zeros,” but refused a urine test.
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Woods reportedly had trouble performing field sobriety tests and was “limping and stumbling to the right” during one drill, after which he told deputies he had multiple back and leg surgeries and that his ankle would seize up when he walked.
In body camera video released by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, the deputy asks, “How much did you drink today?” Woods replies, “None.”
However, he said he took Motrin, ibuprofen and other medications that were modified. According to the incident report, authorities later noted that they found hydrocodone pills, which are used to treat pain, in Woods’ pocket.
Woods’ interactions with law enforcement
Reports indicate that the DUI incident in March marked the third time Woods had to interact with law enforcement involving a car. Earlier, in 2021, a golfer was seriously injured after he was behind the wheel of a Genesis GV80 that crashed in Los Angeles County. Woods suffered multiple leg injuries.
In 2017, police found Woods asleep behind the wheel of his car, which had sustained some damage to the driver’s side, officials said. However, he claimed he had not been drinking but had suffered an “unexpected reaction to prescribed medication”.
