Tiger Woods crash details: The latest updates on investigation into the accident, his injuries
a single-car, rollover accident in southern California.
As of Tuesday night, he was “awake, responsive and recovering in the hospital room,” his team posted in a statement on the star golfer’s Twitter account.
Woods, a 15-time major tournament champion, has seen an outpouring of support from the golf world and beyond since news of the crash broke.
“It’s sickening,” PGA Tour pro Adam Scott said. “He’s our hero out here. You think guys like Tiger and Kobe Bryant are untouchable, but they’re not.”
Here is the latest information and details on the crash.
Tiger Woods accident details
The LA County Sheriff’s Department responded to a 911 call for a roll-over accident at 7:12 a.m. PT on the border of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes. The vehicle had been traveling northbound on Hawthorne Boulevard and sustained major damage, while landing in the brush about 50 feet from the closest home.
The front end of the SUV was destroyed and the airbags deployed.
Why did Tiger Woods crash?
The reasons behind the crash remain unknown, and Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said a traffic investigation could take days or weeks.
Wednesday in a Facebook Live briefing, Villanueva said the department is not considering charges against Woods.
“This an accident, not a crime,” Villanueva said.
As for Woods possibly being impaired at the time of the crash, Villanueva said there was no evidence to support that. “He was not drunk. We can throw that one out.”
He noted that if impairment was suspected, a search warrant would be needed for the department to obtain results of any blood tests conducted at the hospital.
Woods was unable to stand or remove himself from the vehicle. He was conscious and able to speak, appearing “calm and lucid,” Gonzalez said.
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Gonzalez first asked Woods his name, and he replied “Tiger.” Gonzalez then immediately recognized him, he said. Gonzalez was wearing his body camera and it was on when he found Woods.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatched from Station 106 at 7:22 a.m., Fire Chief Daryl Osby said, and arrived at the scene at 7:28 a.m.
Osby said those in the field reported to him that Woods had serious injuries to both legs. He added that due to the nature of the accident, and the fact Woods was extricated from the vehicle, he met the criteria to be taken to the nearest trauma center, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, a decision that doctors would later praise.
Where Tiger Woods’ car crash happened
That section of Hawthorne Boulevard, where the speed limit is 45 mph, moves downhill quickly, with slopes and curves.
VISUALS:Map of Tiger Woods’ car wreck
“We regularly cite people for speed on that section of Hawthorne Boulevard,” Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Michael White told USA TODAY Sports. “It’s a steep downhill grade, and it’s steep enough to warrant two runaway truck lanes.”
L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn directed the county Department of Public Works on Wednesday to conduct a safety review of the stretch of road where the accident occurred.
suffered “comminuted open fractures” affecting both the upper and lower portions of his right tibia and fibula, the two main bones in the lower leg.
The bones were stabilized “by inserting a rod into the tibia.” A combination of screws and pins stabilized injuries to bones in the ankle and foot. Additionally, trauma to nearby muscle and soft tissue required doctors to “surgically release” the muscle to reduce swelling and safeguard potential infection.
Two unnamed people told ESPN that Woods also suffered an injury to the talus bone, which connects the bottom of the leg to the foot, and is a pivot point for movement.
Recovery will be long, tough
Woods had been recovering from a fifth back surgery, which he underwent in December. The fractures themselves could take months to heal.
Since the tibia and fibula both connect to the knee and the ankle, Hawkins said, the severity of injury to both joints will influence how quickly Woods can return to his feet.
USA TODAY Sports’ Christine Brennan wrote “talking right now about Tiger playing golf again is both unseemly and ridiculous,” and Rory McIllroy made similar comments Wednesday.
Before the crash, Woods had hoped to return to action by the 2021 Masters.
“I think that the only thing that really matters now is his well-being, his recovery, his family, the level of support that we provide to him,” PGA Tour president Jay Monahan said.
Tiger’s long list of injuries
As Woods racked up dozens of victories on the PGA Tour during his professional golf career, the wins have come at a price to his 45-year-old body. The procedure on his right leg is just the most recent operation for Woods, who has also undergone five back surgeries and five knee surgeries.
Tiger Woods was driving Genesis GV80 SUV
Photos and footage of the SUV that Woods was driving show a “Genesis Invitational” logo on the side of the vehicle. A Genesis spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY that Woods was driving a Genesis GV80.
Genesis brands received top marks on the IIHS safety awards, but since the GV80 went on sale last fall, its safety measures will be tested for the 2021 Top Safety Pick announcement in the coming month, coincidentally.
