Latest details after car accident
Tiger Woods underwent emergency orthopedic surgery Tuesday after a single-car, rollover accident in southern California.
As of Tuesday night, he was “awake, responsive and recovering in the hospital room,” his team posted in a statement on the star golfer’s Twitter account.
Woods, a 15-time major tournament champion, has seen an outpouring of support from the golf world and beyond since news of the crash broke.
“It’s sickening,” PGA Tour pro Adam Scott said. “He’s our hero out here. You think guys like Tiger and Kobe Bryant are untouchable, but they’re not.”
Here is the latest information and details on the crash.
Tiger Woods accident details
The LA County Sheriff’s Department responded to a 911 call for a roll-over accident at 7:12 a.m. PT on the border of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes. The vehicle had been traveling northbound on Hawthorne Boulevard and sustained major damage, while landing in the brush about 50 feet from the closest home.
The front end of the SUV was destroyed and the airbags deployed.
How first responders rescued Tiger Woods from crash
Deputy Carlos Gonzalez, first to arrive on the scene at 7:18 a.m. PT, said Woods was unable to stand or remove himself from the vehicle. He was conscious and able to speak, appearing “calm and lucid,” Gonzalez said.
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Gonzalez first asked Woods his name, and he replied “Tiger.” Gonzalez then immediately recognized him, he said. Gonzalez was wearing his body camera and it was on when he found Woods.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatched from Station 106 at 7:22 a.m., Fire Chief Daryl Osby said, and arrived at the scene at 7:28 a.m.
Osby said those in the field reported to him that Woods had serious injuries to both legs. He added that due to the nature of the accident, and the fact Woods was extricated from the vehicle, he met the criteria to be taken to the nearest trauma center, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, a decision that doctors would later praise.
Where Tiger Woods’ car crash happened
That section of Hawthorne Boulevard, where the speed limit is 45 mph, moves downhill quickly, with slopes and curves.
VISUALS:Map of Tiger Woods’ car wreck
“We regularly cite people for speed on that section of Hawthorne Boulevard,” Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Michael White told USA TODAY Sports. “It’s a steep downhill grade, and it’s steep enough to warrant two runaway truck lanes.”
Were the ‘Jaws of Life’ used?
No. While initial reports said the Jaws of Life — hydraulic tools that can be used to pry or cut automobile wreckage — were used, the rescue team actually opted for more traditional appliances: an axe and pry bar.
“The Jaws of Life were out there,” department spokesperson Christopher Thomas told USA TODAY Sports, “but basically what they did was they broke the windshield out.”
Woods was extricated from the vehicle via backboard.
Why did Tiger Woods crash?
The reasons behind the crash remain unknown, and Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said a traffic investigation could take days or weeks.
Wednesday in a Facebook Live briefing, Villanueva said the department is not considering charges of any kind against Woods.
“This an accident, not a crime,” Villanueva said.
As for Woods possibly being impaired at the time of the crash, Villanueva said there was no evidence to support that. “He was not drunk. We can throw that one out.”
He noted that if impairment was suspected, a search warrant would be needed for the department to obtain results of any blood tests conducted at the hospital.
Deputy Gonzalez was wearing his body camera, and it was on, while he interacted in the vehicle with Woods, and that footage should be available in the near future.
Tiger Woods’ injuries
In the statement posted by Woods’ team, Anish Mahajan, the chief medical officer and interim CEO at Harbor-UCLA, said Woods suffered “comminuted open fractures” affecting both the upper and lower portions of his right tibia and fibula, the two main bones in the lower leg.
The bones were stabilized “by inserting a rod into the tibia.” A combination of screws and pins stabilized injuries to bones in the ankle and foot. Additionally, trauma to nearby muscle and soft tissue required doctors to “surgically release” the muscle to reduce swelling and safeguard potential infection.
Recovery will be long, tough
Woods had been recovering from a fifth back surgery, which he underwent in December. The fractures themselves could take months to heal.
Since the tibia and fibula both connect to the knee and the ankle, Hawkins said, the severity of injury to both joints will influence how quickly Woods can return to his feet.
USA TODAY Sports’ Christine Brennan wrote “talking right now about Tiger playing golf again is both unseemly and ridiculous,” and Rory McIllroy made similar comments Wednesday.
Before the crash, Woods had hoped to return to action by the 2021 Masters.
“I think that the only thing that really matters now is his well-being, his recovery, his family, the level of support that we provide to him,” PGA Tour president Jay Monahan said.
Tiger Woods was driving Genesis GV80 SUV
Photos and footage of the SUV that Woods was driving show a “Genesis Invitational” logo on the side of the vehicle. A Genesis spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY that Woods was driving a Genesis GV80.
Genesis brands received top marks on the IIHS safety awards, but since the GV80 went on sale last fall, its safety measures will be tested for the 2021 Top Safety Pick announcement in the coming month, coincidentally.
Doctors said the fact Woods wore a seatbelt likely saved his life.
Tiger Woods hosted Genesis Invitational in California
Woods makes his home in Jupiter, Florida, but he had been in Southern California over the weekend for the Genesis Invitational, a tournament hosted by his foundation at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades. He presented winner Max Homa with a trophy after the final round.
Actor David Spade and retired NBA legend Dwyane Wade each posted on social media about playing golf with Woods on Monday.
Contributing: Tom Schad, Brent Schrotenboer, Nathan Bomey, Josh Peter, Christine Brennan, Golfweek, Associated Press
