Tribune News Services
Tiger Woods says the car crash that sent him to the hospital is his fault and has become embarrassing to him and his family, and for the third straight day canceled a meeting with state troopers.
Sgt. Kim Montes of FHP said troopers went to Woods' $2.4 million estate anyway, only for attorney Mark NeJame to turn them away. The attorney gave troopers Woods' driver's license, registration and insurance as required by law for such accidents.
"It has not been rescheduled," Montes said. "He's not required by law to give us a statement, and we'll move forward with our investigation without it."
Police first tried to interview Woods on Friday, only for his wife to ask if they could return the next day because he was sleeping.
In a tape of a 911 call released Sunday, two days after the accident, a neighbor told dispatchers that a black Cadillac Escalade hit a tree and "I have someone down in front of my house."
Orlando Sentinel: Listen to the 911 call.
Woods' neighbor never mentions the golfer by name, and the call is inaudible at several points because of the bad connection.
"I came out here just to see what was going on," the neighbor, who was not identified, told dispatchers. "I see him, and he's laying down."
One woman is heard in the background yelling, "What happened?"
Woods released the following statement on his Web site today:
"As you all know, I had a single-car accident earlier this week, and sustained some injuries. I have some cuts, bruising and right now I'm pretty sore.
"This situation is my fault, and it's obviously embarrassing to my family and me. I'm human and I'm not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn't happen again.
"This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way. Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded and malicious rumors that are currently circulating about my family and me are irresponsible.
"The only person responsible for the accident is me. My wife, Elin, acted courageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble. She was the first person to help me. Any other assertion is absolutely false.
"This incident has been stressful and very difficult for Elin, our family and me. I appreciate all the concern and well wishes that we have received. But, I would also ask for some understanding that my family and I deserve some privacy no matter how intrusive some people can be."
Sgt. Kim Montes, the Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman, said FHP investigations into minor collisions don't normally drag on for days, but this isn't the first time that one has stretched on.
"It's unusual, but I will say it's happened before," Montes said today. "This is not the first time that we've gone back to get a statement from a driver. ... We try and give the driver every opportunity to tell us their side of the story before we complete our investigation."
Montes has said Woods is not required to give a statement, only his driver's license, insurance and registration of the SUV, which was towed to a private yard with damage to the front and both back-seat windows broken.
She declined to speculate what charges or penalties Woods might be facing.
In its initial accident report, the patrol said Woods left his house, ran over a fire hydrant with his Cadillac Escalade and then smashed into a tree at 2:25 a.m. Friday. And Windermere police chief Daniel Saylor said Woods' wife told officers she heard the crash from inside their home, and used a golf club to break out the back window.
Police first tried to interview Woods on Friday, only for his wife to ask if they could return the next day because he was sleeping.
As they headed to Woods' $2.4 million house inside the gates of Isleworth on Saturday afternoon, FHP dispatch put through a phone call to troopers from Woods' agent, informing them that Woods and his wife would be unavailable to talk until Sunday.
"I don't know what was said," Montes said Saturday. "I mean, (Friday) we understood, and that's kind of normal. It is unusual that we haven't gotten a statement. This just delays us to getting closer to the completion of the investigation."
Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, did not respond to a text message asking why Woods was unavailable.
"Every 10 seconds these days, people update their tweets," said David Schwab, vice president of sports marketing firm Octagon. "People are just adding speculation and controversy. You need something to settle the ship. If he's not able to do it, find someone to do it for him."
The accident came two days after the National Enquirer published a story alleging that Woods had been seeing a New York night club hostess, and that they recently were together in Melbourne, where Woods competed in the Australian Masters.
The woman, Rachel Uchitel, denied having an affair with Woods when contacted by the AP.
Woods is to host his Chevron World Challenge this week in Thousand Oaks, Calif., which benefits his foundation. Woods' news conference had been scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, although it was not clear if he would still play, or even attend.
"We do not know if Tiger is playing; we are anticipating a great week of competition," said Greg McLaughlin, the tournament director and president of his foundation.
In a telephone interview, Woods' father-in-law, radio journalist Thomas Nordegren, told The Associated Press in Stockholm that he would not discuss the accident.
"I haven't spoken to her in the last few ... " Nordegren said about his daughter, Elin, before cutting himself off. "I don't want to go into that."
Woods' mother-in-law Barbro Holmberg also refused to address the matter.
"She doesn't want to comment on private issues like these," Holmberg's spokeswoman Eva Malmborg said.
Aside from occasional criticism of his temper inside the ropes, Woods has kept himself out of the news beyond his sport. In an October posting on his Facebook account, Woods wrote, "I'm asked why people don't often see me and Elin in gossip magazines or tabloids. I think we've avoided a lot of media attention because we're kind of boring. ..."
"He's an iconic brand, the platinum standard," said John Rowady, president of rEvolution, a Chicago-based sports marketing agency. "I find it interesting how he's being attacked by so many sides after how gracious he's been. But even the best of celebrities who try to do their best can be riddled with controversy."
Photo: Tiger Woods chips on the way to winning the 2009 Australian Masters. (WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)
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yeah,"Greatest professional golfer of all time" had other things on his mind besides his operation and recovery".
i feel sorry for the guy... if it was you or me who screwed up, we'd never get the mass exposure and humiliation
We are actually somewhat insulted that these people expect us to believe the story. How could he have been scratched in the face when the windshield was still intact? Why would she bach in the back window when the driver door was intact and he was otherwise still conscious? No, the tabloid news had nothing to do with a woman destroying a car with golf clubs in jealous rage! We think her actions were justified. Attempting to insult our intelligence or knowledge of the world, not so much. Whether or not Tiger was really with other women is not relevant. As long as his wife thought that it could be true and she went on a rampage chasing Tiger from his home with golf clubs, more like the obvious truth. Let's face it, they are human too. But trying to insult us with the far fetched attempt to hide their own humanity is not cutting it with us. Sorry.
We are actually somewhat insulted that these people expect us to believe the story. How could he have been scratched in the face when the windshield was still intact? Why would she bach in the back window when the driver door was intact and he was otherwise still conscious? No, the tabloid news had nothing to do with a woman destroying a car with golf clubs in jealous rage! We think her actions were justified. Attempting to insult our intelligence or knowledge of the world, not so much. Whether or not Tiger was really with other women is not relevant. As long as his wife thought that it could be true and she went on a rampage chasing Tiger from his home with golf clubs, more like the obvious truth. Let's face it, they are human too. But trying to insult us with the far fetched attempt to hide their own humanity is not cutting it with us. Sorry.
"It's unbelievable how truly dumb many (perhaps most) of you people are. Your posted ignorance, lack of knowledge, and the law governing a citizen rights is appalling."
Yeah Stu, you are definitely the consitutional scholar here. Actually it's unbelievable how much of a tool you are. Ever get tired of carrying the water for the boy wonder?
If the cops ever show up at your door for an investigation, tell em to come back tomorrow and make sure to let me know how that goes.
It's unbelievable how truly dumb many (perhaps most) of you people are. Your posted ignorance, lack of knowledge, and the law governing a citizen rights is appalling.
Can anyone say drunk? Not agreeing to meet with police says a lot about his character... I hope the hospital took blood for DUI testing. Bet there would be someone out there that would pay alot for the results of those tests. Got to be hiding something . Hey all you kids out there see what type of hero and roll model he is, won't even stand up and explain himself. What you get when you pick one of these types for a hero.
Any of us would not get away with this. He thinks he is above the rest of us. And unfortunately, when we do something done, we don't get the luxery of keeping it "private". The news is splashed all over the front page.
Hey Jim, Tiger left the scene allright. In the back of an ambulance.
Those persons who think or speak evil of another person are evil themselves.
rmk/akron
Yeah that's total B.S. when yopu can thumb your nose to a police investigation and have agents take care of things for you just because your Tiger Woods. Leaving the scene of a personal injury accident with city property certainly gives officers the right to question Tiger.
Any other poor bloke would have been pulled out of his house or questioned at the hospital......
Tiger says the accident was "his fault." Translation: I got caught with my hand in the cookie jar and my significant other half had some heart burn over it. It seems pretty obvious that the ESPN-annointed "Greatest professional golfer of all time" had other things on his mind besides his operation and recovery. Let's see who steps up to the plate endorsement-wise in the future. I imagine Buick is damned glad they don't have Tiger's baggage to deal with along with the federal take over of General Motors.
Tiger says the accident was "his fault." Translation: I got caught with my hand in the cookie jar and my significant other half had some heart burn over it. It seems pretty obvious that the ESPN-annointed "Greatest professional golfer of all time" had other things on his mind besides his operation and recovery. Let's see who steps up to the plate endorsement-wise in the future. I imagine Buick is damned glad they don't have Tiger's baggage to deal with along with the federal take over of General Motors.
The FHP has dropped the ball on this investigation. If it were anyone else,they would have resolved all questions by now. It makes me think there is a cover-up!
Obviously Rich G. can't read. Tiger is not 'thumbing his nose at police' nor interfering with an investigation. As the article states: Woods is not required to give a statement, only his driver's license, insurance and registration of the SUV, which was towed to a private yard with damage to the front and both back-seat windows broken.
There is little doubt Tiger probably had a fight with his wife. Big deal. That is not info that you, the police or anyone else needs or is entitled to know.
It's nice to know that you can thumb your nose at the police and refuse to cooperate in an official police investigation. After all, city property (fire hydrant) was damaged and I think it would be mandated by the police to, at the very least, get the facts that led to the accident. Unless his wife caused the bodily injury by way of hitting him with a golf club which would require the police to lock her up for domestic battery. Maybe that's why they are ducking the police interview.
It's nice to know that you can thumb your nose at the police and refuse to cooperate in an official police investigation. After all, city property (fire hydrant) was damaged and I think it would be mandated by the police to, at the very least, get the facts that led to the accident. Unless his wife caused the bodily injury by way of hitting him with a golf club which would require the police to lock her up for domestic battery. Maybe that's why they are ducking the police interview.
Come on Tribune, we need better news then this!
Wow TMZ.com said ... I always look to TMZ as my trusted source for the truth. NOT
Who cares!!!!!!!!!!!!