Crime & Safety

Tiger Woods Recovering In Hospital After Rollover Crash

Golf legend Tiger Woods was recovering in a hospital early Wednesday after suffering serious injuries from a rollover crash in Palos Verdes.

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PGA golfer Tiger Woods was recovering from surgery at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center early Wednesday after he was seriously injured in a single-vehicle rollover crash in Rancho Palos Verdes.
PGA golfer Tiger Woods was recovering from surgery at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center early Wednesday after he was seriously injured in a single-vehicle rollover crash in Rancho Palos Verdes. ( Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA — Golf legend Tiger Woods was recovering in a hospital Wednesday after suffering serious injuries from a rollover crash near Rancho Palos Verdes.

Woods and his team released a statement via Twitter late Tuesday night from the hospital, where he was awake and responsive after undergoing a long surgical procedure on his lower right leg and ankle.

"We thank everyone for the overwhelming support and messages during this tough time," according to the statement.

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"Thank you to the wonderful doctors and hospital staff at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and the Fire Department. Your support and assistance has been outstanding."

Anish Mahajan, MD, chief medical officer and interim CEO at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, also shared what happened to Woods and his injuries.

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"Mr. Woods suffered significant orthopedic injuries to his right lower extremity that were treated during emergency surgery by orthopedic trauma specialists at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, a level 1 trauma center. Comminuted open fractures affecting both the upper and lower portions of the tibia and fibula bones were stabilized by inserting a rod into the tibia. Additional injuries to the bones of the foot and ankle were stabilized with a combination of screws and pins. Trauma to the muscle and soft-tissue of the leg required surgical release of the covering of the muscles to relieve pressure due to swelling."

"There are no further updates at this time and we continue to thank you for your well-wishes and privacy for him and his family," the tweet said.

Woods was alone in the SUV when it crashed into a raised median, crossed two oncoming lanes and rolled over several times. Woods was trapped inside the wreckage, which was reported around 7:12 a.m. Tuesday, officials from Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a news conference.

Firefighters used an ax and other tools to pull the 45-year-old from the SUV through the windshield, officials said. Woods was taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where he underwent surgery for multiple leg injuries. No other vehicles were involved.

Woods was not able to stand on his feet following the crash, Deputy Carlos Gonzalez said.

"It's very fortunate that Tiger Woods was able to come out of this alive," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez was the first to arrive at the crash and found him seated in the vehicle, wearing a seat belt, he said.

He was stable but had serious injuries. The seatbelt helped save his life, Gonzalez added.

"I kept Mr. Woods calm until L.A. County fire arrived on scene," Gonzalez said. "He told me his name was Tiger, and at that point I immediately recognized him."

He was found bleeding but conscious, Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Daryl Osby said.

No evidence of impairment was found at the crash, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Alex Villanueva said. The SUV was towed to Lomita where it will be examined during the ongoing investigation.

During an Instagram and Facebook Live Wednesday, Villanueva said the department is not considering charges of any kind against Tiger Woods. At most, the investigation could lead to an infraction if it's determined Woods was on his cell phone or distracted in some other way, the sheriff says. Investigators have not yet pulled a "black box" from the damaged SUV to determine how fast Woods was traveling when the crash occurred.

Woods was driving the SUV downhill on a curve, heading northbound on Hawthorne when he crashed into a "Welcome to Rolling Hills Estates" sign in the center median, hit a tree, then the car rolled over and fell into the brush, Villanueva said. Neighbors reported the crash. The front end of the car was destroyed, although his airbags did deploy.

The road is considered a traffic problem area for locals, Gonzalez said.

"Tiger Woods was in a single-car accident this morning in California where he suffered multiple leg injuries," Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, told Golf Digest. "He is currently in surgery and we thank you for your privacy and support."

Woods was the host for the PGA Tour's Genesis Invitational over the weekend. He was reportedly driving a 2021 Genesis GV80.

He was in California for a two-day Golf Digest/GOLFTV shoot, even spending time with Dwayne Wade and comedian David Spade.

Woods was recovering from back surgery in December and said he was hoping to return to playing.

He has battled back issues in recent years, last competed in a golf tournament on Dec. 20, at the PNC Championship in Orlando. He subsequently had surgery to remove a pressurized disc fragment that was pinching a nerve, his first surgery since undergoing a spinal fusion in April 2017.

Woods came back from that operation to win the 2019 Masters, his 15th major title, second only to Jack Nicklaus' 18.

The roads were closed for hours during the investigation. Drivers were advised to avoid the area and consider alternative routes.

The crash happened Tuesday before 7:12 a.m. near Southbound Hawthorne Boulevard at Palos Verdes Drive, officials said. All lanes were reopened shortly after 5 p.m. on Hawthorne Boulevard between Blackhorse and Palos Verdes Drive North.

Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies from the Lomita Station were investigating the crash.

Woods' car sustained major damage in the crash, officials said.

The PGA Tour commented on Woods' accident, along with PGA golfer Jack Nicklaus, Magic Johnson, former President Barack Obama, Steph Curry, Jada Pinkett Smith and Mike Tyson.

City News Service contributed to this report.

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