MIAMI.- Prosecutors will have access to prescription drug records Tiger Woods following the golf superstar’s arrest in March on suspicion of driving under the influence, a judge ruled Tuesday Florida.
The judge Darren Steele approved an agreement between Woods’ defense attorney and prosecutors in a brief hearing held in a court in Martin County (southeast), according to court documents.
Woods’ lawyer, Douglas Duncanhad opposed in April the Prosecutor’s request to obtain access to medication records, arguing that the athlete had a right to privacy.
At Tuesday’s hearing, which Woods did not attend, both sides agreed to the release of the records and that a protective order would be issued that would make them available only to prosecutors, law enforcement, expert witnesses and his defense.
Woods, 50, has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence in a traffic accident on March 27, in which his vehicle clipped a truck while trying to pass it on a residential street.
Woods’ car flipped on its side and the golfer had to get up to get out through the passenger side.
The authorities determined that he had not consumed alcohol, but found that he appeared to be under the influence of some substance and found two hydrocodone pills, a powerful opioid painkiller, in his pocket.
Woods, who refused to submit to a urine test, was charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence, refusal to submit to a legally required test and distracted driving.
In April, prosecutors requested access to copies of “any and all prescription medications” in the American star’s file.
The 15-time major champion told officers at the scene that he was looking at his phone and didn’t realize the truck had stopped in front of him.
Extensive history of accidents and injuries
Woods has undergone several back surgeries and surgeries for serious leg injuries he suffered in a car accident in California in 2021.
Following this latest accident, he stated in a statement that he was “stepping away for a while to seek treatment and focus on his health.”
The court granted him permission to leave the country. He is believed to have entered a treatment clinic in Swiss.
