Photo: Getty Images
Tiger Woods avoided up to one year of jail time Wednesday (September 2) after reaching a plea deal that reduced his Florida DUI charge to reckless driving and resulted in a five-year suspension of his driver’s license
Woods, 50, pleaded no contest to the reduced charge in connection with a March 27 crash on Jupiter Island, Florida, according to NBC News. Prosecutors also reduced a separate charge for refusing to submit to a lawful test to a careless driving citation.
The case stems from the crash, when Woods’ Land Rover clipped a pickup truck’s trailer while attempting to pass and rolled onto its side. No one was injured.
Prosecutors agreed to drop the DUI charge after two toxicologists found there was not enough evidence to prove Woods was impaired by hydrocodone, NBC News reported. Woods had refused to provide a urine sample following the crash.
Woods was sentenced to a five-year driver’s license suspension and ordered to pay about $1,500 in fines. He was also warned that driving during the suspension could result in jail time.
Martin County State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl addressed reporters after the hearing and emphasized that Woods is not permitted to drive.
Wednesday’s plea marks Woods’ second reckless driving offense. He also pleaded guilty to reckless driving following a 1017 DUI arrest in Florida.
“Of all the people in the world who should not get behind the wheel of the car, it’s the gentleman who is one of the most recognizable faces on the planet,” Bakkedahl said.
“Somebody will see him, whether it’s in Georgia or Nevada or New York or where have you. He’s not to drive a car.”
The Black Information Network is your source for Black News! Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.