Tiger Woods charged with driving under the influence after crash

Golfer Tiger Woods has been charged with driving under the influence after a car crash in Florida, police say. The Martin County Sheriff's Office reported that the 15-time major champion was also charged with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.

Sheriff John Budensiek confirmed that Woods, 50, rolled his Land Rover vehicle after clipping a pressure cleaner truck on Jupiter Island on Friday afternoon. The golfer had to crawl out of the passenger side of his vehicle but passed a breathalyzer test administered at the scene, although he refused a urine test.

Luckily, no injuries were reported from the incident, which occurred on Beach Road just after 14:00 local time (about 19:00 GMT).

The DUI investigators came to the scene and Mr. Woods did exemplify signs of impairment, Sheriff Budensiek said.

Woods explained to authorities the injuries and surgeries he had undergone in the past. He was placed under arrest and taken to Martin County jail after undergoing several roadside tests.

We were really not suspicious of alcohol being involved in this case and that proved to be true, Budensiek added. Mr. Woods did a breathalyzer test with triple zeros, but when it came time for us to ask for a urinary analysis test, he refused.

The sheriff noted that Woods was cooperative but was cautious about incriminating himself, and he has the right to refuse the test.

This refusal may lead to charges, but it also means that there will be no definitive results about what may have impaired Woods at the time.

In response to the incident, US President Donald Trump commented, expressing concern for Woods as a close friend: I feel so badly. [Woods has] got some difficulty. There was an accident. That's all I know.

Sheriff Budensiek indicated that Woods would be held for eight hours in jail and then released on bond. The BBC has reached out to Woods' representatives for further comment.