Tiger Woods was speeding when his SUV crashed in February, leaving the 45-year-old golf legend serious injuries, authorities said on Wednesday. His vehicle was traveling between 84 and 87 mph in an area outside Los Angeles, with a speed limit of 45 mph, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told a news conference.
“The main causal factor for this traffic collision was driving at an uncertain speed due to road conditions and the inability to negotiate the road curve,” Villanueva said.
On Feb. 23, Woods hit a median around 7 a.m. local time in the Rolling Hills Estates. His vehicle went off the road, hit a tree and rolled into an area known for accidents. Woods spent weeks in the hospital after the operation and is now recovering at home.
Citing the vehicle’s data logger, police found that Woods “accidentally” hit the accelerator instead of a pause after hitting the median, which caused high speeds throughout the collision. The vehicle was traveling at 75 mph when it hit a tree.
The sheriff reiterated that there was no evidence that Woods had been affected and said it was not appropriate to test Woods for sobriety in the field, given the serious nature of his injuries on the spot. He said Woods and his team cooperated throughout the investigation.
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“While investigators interviewed him on the spot and at the hospital, these questions were asked and there was nothing to indicate intoxication,” said Captain James Powers.
Villanueva said his office did not issue a subpoena because the speed was not noticed by a police officer or witnesses and did not involve any other care – which is the department’s policy. The sheriff also denied any special treatment to Woods during the investigation.
One statement On Wednesday, Woods thanked deputies and firefighters who responded to the February accident. “I will continue to focus on my recovery and my family and thank everyone for the overwhelming support and encouragement I received at this very difficult time,” he said.