Sheriff Alex Villanueva and Captain James Powers Provide Update on Tiger Woods Crash Investigation

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, along with Captain James Powers, announced that the collision's primary cause involving golfer Tiger Woods was driving at a speed unsafe for the road conditions and the inability to negotiate the curve of the roadway.

On Tuesday, February 23, 2021, Tiger Woods was involved in a traffic collision on Hawthorne Blvd., in Rancho Palos Verdes. According to the vehicle's event data recorder, estimated speeds at the first area of impact were 84 to 87 mph, and when the vehicle made a final impact on a tree, the speed was 75 mph.

Villanueva stated no citations were issued, and Mr. Woods showed no signs of impairment. Contrary to various reports, Mr. Woods did not receive preferential treatment, and the primary concern after the crash was providing the medical care needed to survive his life-threatening injuries.

Captain Powers reiterated that there was no evidence of impairment, no odor of alcohol, no open containers, no narcotics or evidence of medication on the vehicle or in his person.

Also, due to the traumatic nature of his injuries, it would have been inappropriate to administer a sobriety test. Since there was no observation by a peace officer, a citation was not issued. Cell phone records were not reviewed because the only factors of the accident were speed and the failure to maintain the roadway's curvature. There was no probable cause to obtain blood work at the hospital because, based on the facts, there was no evidence of intoxication or impairment.

According to the event data recorder, it is believed that Tiger Woods inadvertently hit the accelerator instead of the brakes.