Bodycam footage from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office has revealed the moment Tiger Woods was informed he was under arrest for driving under the influence, his expression one of apparent surprise, following a vehicle crash last week.
The footage shows Deputy Tatiana Levenar telling the golfer, “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.” Woods responded by asking, “I’m being arrested?” before being handcuffed at the scene on Jupiter Island, Florida, on Friday, March 27, 2026.
The Arrest and Crash
The incident occurred around 2 p.m. ET when Woods’ Land Rover clipped the back of a truck trailer while attempting to pass, causing the SUV to roll onto its side. He told deputies he had been looking down at his phone and changing the radio station prior to the collision, which caused an estimated $5,000 in damage to the trailer. No one was injured.
According to the arrest report, deputies noted Woods was “sweating profusely” in an air-conditioned patrol car, his eyes were “bloodshot and glassy” with “extremely dilated” pupils, and his gait was “limping and stumbling.” He also had hiccups throughout the encounter. After participating in field sobriety exercises, during which he informed officers of his extensive medical history including seven back surgeries and over 20 operations on his leg, deputies concluded his faculties were impaired. A breathalyzer test indicated no alcohol, but Woods refused to submit to a urine test, a refusal that can carry separate penalties under Florida law.
The Medications in Focus
Central to the case are the prescription medications Woods admitted taking. In the footage, he states he had taken “a few medications” earlier in the day, denying any alcohol consumption. Deputies found two pills in his pocket, which he identified as “Norco.” This is a brand name for hydrocodone, a potent prescription opioid painkiller classified as a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States due to its high potential for abuse and dependence.
This is not the first time prescription drugs have been involved in a Woods traffic incident. In a previous DUI arrest in May 2017, to which he later pleaded guilty to reckless driving, he attributed his condition to a reaction to pain medication. Toxicology reports from that arrest showed five different substances in his system: Vicodin (another opioid containing hydrocodone), Dilaudid (a stronger opioid), Xanax (an anti-anxiety medication), Ambien (a sleep aid), and THC.
Woods’ reliance on such medications stems from a brutal history of injury. Beyond his multiple back surgeries—which have included microdiscectomies and a spinal fusion—he has endured over 20 operations on his leg and suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in March 2025. He has previously stated he was “receiving professional help to manage my medications and the ways that I deal with back pain.”
A Renewed Focus on Health
In response to the arrest, Woods has pleaded not guilty to the DUI charge through his attorney, Douglas Duncan, who also represented him in the 2017 case, and has demanded a jury trial. Concurrently, he has announced he is “stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health,” stating the need to “prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.”
This decision directly impacts his already limited competitive schedule. Having not played on the PGA Tour since the 2024 Open Championship, his recent activity was confined to the TGL indoor league he co-founded with Rory McIlroy. He competed for his team, Jupiter Links GC, in the TGL Finals in late March 2026—his first competitive action in over a year. His health focus now means he will miss the Masters Tournament for a second consecutive year, an absence confirmed by Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Fred Ridley.
The arrest underscores the ongoing physical challenges facing the 15-time major champion, whose career has been defined by unparalleled achievement and profound off-course struggles, as he navigates both the legal system and a complex path to recovery.
