Golf icon Tiger Woods has been handed a five-year suspension of his driving licence and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine after accepting a plea deal over a reckless driving charge arising from a rollover crash in Florida.
The agreement with prosecutors in Martin County saw the initial charge of driving under the influence reduced to reckless driving after Woods agreed not to contest the charge.
The 50-year-old golfer was arrested following the March incident, in which his vehicle was involved in a collision and overturned.
No one was injured in the crash, but Woods reportedly had to crawl out through the passenger side of the vehicle to free himself.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, the former world number one accepted the five-year driving ban and the $1,000 financial penalty.
Woods had earlier pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence and refusal to submit to testing.
Authorities said Woods passed a breathalyser test following the accident but declined additional testing for the possible presence of other drugs.
Body camera footage released by police in April showed the aftermath of the crash and captured Woods speaking with officers at the scene.
“I looked down at my phone, and all of a sudden, boom,” Woods said while explaining the incident.
Woods told officers he had not consumed alcohol on the day of the crash.
When asked about prescription medication, he reportedly said he took several medications and had taken some earlier that morning. The section of the footage in which he identified the medication was later redacted.
Police said they suspected that Woods’ normal faculties may have been impaired by an unknown substance.
Authorities subsequently reported finding two white pills in Woods’ possession, which were identified as hydrocodone, an opioid medication commonly prescribed for pain.
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Following the incident, Woods publicly acknowledged the seriousness of his situation and announced plans to seek treatment.
“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” Woods said in a social media statement.
“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 prioritise my wellbeing and work toward lasting recovery.”
The March crash marked Woods’ second arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence.
The plea agreement effectively brings the latest legal proceedings connected to the Florida crash to a close, leaving Woods to serve the five-year driving suspension in addition to paying the financial penalty.
