Posted: 2:18 pm EST November 27,
2009Updated: 6:37 am EST November 30,
2009
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- On Sunday afternoon, Tiger Woods canceled a third scheduled interview with the Florida Highway Patrol and released a statement saying, “This situation is my fault." Meanwhile, the FHP released a 911 call made by a neighbor after hearing the crash.According to a Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman, Woods is now being represented by local prominent attorney Mark NeJame, who contacted FHP Sunday afternoon to tell troopers that the scheduled interview has been canceled. It is still not known if FHP investigators will return to Tiger’s Isleworth home in a fourth attempt to interview the professional golfer.The entertainment news and gossip website TMZ is reporting that sources tell them Florida Highway Patrol investigators are attempting to obtain a search warrant allowing them to seize medical records from the hospital where Tiger was treated. TMZ claims the records could show whether his injuries are consistent with a car accident or domestic violence.911 CALL: 911 Call From Neighbor EXCLUSIVE IMAGES:Tiger Woods Accident Scene SLIDESHOW:Tiger Woods Through The YearsThe 911 call released on Sunday was made by an unidentified male neighbor."I need an ambulance immediately," the neighbor said. "I have someone down in front of my house."The dispatcher asked if the victim was trapped in the vehicle, and the neighbor responded, "No. They're laying on the ground."The caller added that the victim was not conscious, and a woman could be heard in the background saying, "What happened?"Also Sunday afternoon, Tiger released the following statement on his website:“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.”Eyewitness News called NeJame Sunday to ask whether Woods would attend this week's charity golf tournament in California, but NeJame wasn't able to answer that question and could only release this statement:"We stand by Mr. Woods' previously released statement regarding his privacy and otherwise. I have nothing further to add at this time."CNN contacted Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, to ask about the situation Sunday afternoon and was given this statement:"We have been informed by the Florida Highway Patrol that further discussion with them is both voluntary and optional. Although Tiger realizes that there is a great deal of public curiosity, it has been conveyed to FHP that he simply has nothing more to add and wishes to protect the privacy of his family."On Saturday, Florida Highway Patrol troopers pulled into Tiger Woods' exclusive Isleworth community just before 3 p.m. for a second attempt at interviewing the world's most famous golfer about his early Friday morning car crash, but when they got there Woods' agent told troopers he was "not available," troopers said.Troopers were at the Woods estate for nearly an hour before leaving.An FHP spokesperson released this e-mailed statement Saturday: "The Florida Highway Patrol has received information that Tiger Woods and his wife were not available to be interviewed by state troopers, as we had previously scheduled. This announcement came from his agent. Troopers were asked to return tomorrow (November 29th)."According to previous information from the Florida Highway Patrol, the 33-year-old was driving his 2009 Cadillac SUV when he hit a fire hydrant and then slammed into a tree after pulling out of his driveway on Deacon Circle.The accident happened at 2:25 a.m., though the FHP did not release the accident report until nearly 12 hours later.Woods was by himself at the time.Windermere Police Chief Daniel Saylor said Woods' wife used a golf club to smash out the back window and helped get the golfer out of the car. Elin Nordegren told officers she was in their house when she heard the accident and came outside. Saylor said the front-door windows were not broken and that "the door was probably locked.""According to officers, she was very upset and frantic," said Saylor.Saylor says officers found Woods laying in the street with his wife hovering over him. Woods was in and out of consciousness when his officers arrived.Woods had cuts on his face and lips and blood in his mouth. Saylor said his officers gave him first aid until fire rescue came about 10 minutes later."The officers stabilized him, held his head straight," Saylor said.He was taken to Health Central Hospital in Ocoee where he was later released.Troopers say the SUV's air bag did not deploy. Damage to the front of Woods' SUV was described by Saylor as "not real extensive, but not real light."It’s not clear yet what caused the crash. Investigators say alcohol was not a factor. They did not smell alcohol on Woods' breath and did not find any evidence of alcohol use at the scene.Charges are pending. Left unanswered was where Woods was going at that hour. Agent Mark Steinberg said there would be no comment beyond the short statement of the accident posted on Woods' Web site. "Tiger Woods was in a minor car accident outside his home last night. He was admitted, treated and released today in good condition. We appreciate very much everyone's thoughts and well wishes," said spokesman Glenn Greenspan.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 Associated Press. "I resent my reputation is getting completely blasted in the media," she said during a telephone interview late Friday. "Everyone is assuming I came out and said this. This is not a story I have anything to do with." Uchitel said she was in Melbourne two weeks ago with clients and never saw Woods the entire time she was there. A representative of the National Enquirer declined comment. Saylor said his responding officers did not hear anything about an alleged argument between Woods and his wife. "Right now we believe this is a traffic crash. We don't believe it is domestic issue," patrol spokesman Sgt. Kim Montes said.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.Patrol Spokeswoman Kim Montes said the accident report was not issued for 12 hours because it did not meet the criteria of a serious crash, and the FHP only released information because of inquiries from local media. Two troopers tried to talk to Woods on Friday evening, but his wife said he was sleeping and they agreed to come back Saturday, Montes said. She said charges could be filed if there was a clear traffic violation, although troopers still do not know what caused Woods' SUV to hit the hydrant and the tree.Woods, who has won 82 times around the world and 14 majors, returned to his $2.4 million home in the exclusive Isleworth subdivision near Orlando earlier this week after attending the Stanford-Cal football game, where he tossed the coin at the start of the game and was inducted into Stanford's sports Hall of Fame at halftime.He had traveled to China and Australia earlier in the month, winning the Australian Masters on Nov. 15.Woods was to host his tournament, the Chevron World Challenge, on Monday at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif.He won six times this year after missing eight months recovering from reconstructive surgery on his left knee. Even though he failed to win a major, Woods said he considered this a successful year because he did not know how his knee would respond. Woods rarely faces such private scrutiny, even as perhaps the most famous active athlete in the world. He usually makes news only because of what he can do with a golf club. Few other athletes have managed to keep their private lives so guarded, or have a circle of friends so airtight when it comes to life off the course. His wife was awarded a $183,250 settlement and an apology from an Irish magazine that published a fake nude photo of her, and Woods received a $1.6 million settlement in a lawsuit against the builder of his yacht -- named Privacy -- for using his name and photos of the boat as promotional material. Woods is approaching $100 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour, and Forbes magazine reported that combined with endorsements, appearance fees and golf course design, he has become the first athlete to top $1 billion. Woods' $2.4 million home is part of an exclusive subdivision near Orlando, a community set on an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course and a chain of small lakes. The neighborhood, which is fortified with high brick walls and has its own security force, is home to CEOs and other sports stars such as the NBA's Shaquille O'Neal.
Copyright 2009 by WFTV.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Tiger Cancels 3rd Interview, Speaks Out, Retains Attorney
Posted: 2:18 pm EST November 27, 2009Updated: 6:37 am EST November 30, 2009
911 CALL: 911 Call From Neighbor
EXCLUSIVE IMAGES: Tiger Woods Accident Scene
SLIDESHOW: Tiger Woods Through The Years
The 911 call released on Sunday was made by an unidentified male neighbor."I need an ambulance immediately," the neighbor said. "I have someone down in front of my house."The dispatcher asked if the victim was trapped in the vehicle, and the neighbor responded, "No. They're laying on the ground."The caller added that the victim was not conscious, and a woman could be heard in the background saying, "What happened?"Also Sunday afternoon, Tiger released the following statement on his website:“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.”Eyewitness News called NeJame Sunday to ask whether Woods would attend this week's charity golf tournament in California, but NeJame wasn't able to answer that question and could only release this statement:"We stand by Mr. Woods' previously released statement regarding his privacy and otherwise. I have nothing further to add at this time."CNN contacted Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, to ask about the situation Sunday afternoon and was given this statement:"We have been informed by the Florida Highway Patrol that further discussion with them is both voluntary and optional. Although Tiger realizes that there is a great deal of public curiosity, it has been conveyed to FHP that he simply has nothing more to add and wishes to protect the privacy of his family."On Saturday, Florida Highway Patrol troopers pulled into Tiger Woods' exclusive Isleworth community just before 3 p.m. for a second attempt at interviewing the world's most famous golfer about his early Friday morning car crash, but when they got there Woods' agent told troopers he was "not available," troopers said.Troopers were at the Woods estate for nearly an hour before leaving.An FHP spokesperson released this e-mailed statement Saturday: "The Florida Highway Patrol has received information that Tiger Woods and his wife were not available to be interviewed by state troopers, as we had previously scheduled. This announcement came from his agent. Troopers were asked to return tomorrow (November 29th)."According to previous information from the Florida Highway Patrol, the 33-year-old was driving his 2009 Cadillac SUV when he hit a fire hydrant and then slammed into a tree after pulling out of his driveway on Deacon Circle.The accident happened at 2:25 a.m., though the FHP did not release the accident report until nearly 12 hours later.Woods was by himself at the time.Windermere Police Chief Daniel Saylor said Woods' wife used a golf club to smash out the back window and helped get the golfer out of the car. Elin Nordegren told officers she was in their house when she heard the accident and came outside. Saylor said the front-door windows were not broken and that "the door was probably locked.""According to officers, she was very upset and frantic," said Saylor.Saylor says officers found Woods laying in the street with his wife hovering over him. Woods was in and out of consciousness when his officers arrived.Woods had cuts on his face and lips and blood in his mouth. Saylor said his officers gave him first aid until fire rescue came about 10 minutes later."The officers stabilized him, held his head straight," Saylor said.He was taken to Health Central Hospital in Ocoee where he was later released.Troopers say the SUV's air bag did not deploy. Damage to the front of Woods' SUV was described by Saylor as "not real extensive, but not real light."It’s not clear yet what caused the crash. Investigators say alcohol was not a factor. They did not smell alcohol on Woods' breath and did not find any evidence of alcohol use at the scene.Charges are pending. Left unanswered was where Woods was going at that hour. Agent Mark Steinberg said there would be no comment beyond the short statement of the accident posted on Woods' Web site. "Tiger Woods was in a minor car accident outside his home last night. He was admitted, treated and released today in good condition. We appreciate very much everyone's thoughts and well wishes," said spokesman Glenn Greenspan.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 Associated Press. "I resent my reputation is getting completely blasted in the media," she said during a telephone interview late Friday. "Everyone is assuming I came out and said this. This is not a story I have anything to do with." Uchitel said she was in Melbourne two weeks ago with clients and never saw Woods the entire time she was there. A representative of the National Enquirer declined comment. Saylor said his responding officers did not hear anything about an alleged argument between Woods and his wife. "Right now we believe this is a traffic crash. We don't believe it is domestic issue," patrol spokesman Sgt. Kim Montes said.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.Patrol Spokeswoman Kim Montes said the accident report was not issued for 12 hours because it did not meet the criteria of a serious crash, and the FHP only released information because of inquiries from local media. Two troopers tried to talk to Woods on Friday evening, but his wife said he was sleeping and they agreed to come back Saturday, Montes said. She said charges could be filed if there was a clear traffic violation, although troopers still do not know what caused Woods' SUV to hit the hydrant and the tree.Woods, who has won 82 times around the world and 14 majors, returned to his $2.4 million home in the exclusive Isleworth subdivision near Orlando earlier this week after attending the Stanford-Cal football game, where he tossed the coin at the start of the game and was inducted into Stanford's sports Hall of Fame at halftime.He had traveled to China and Australia earlier in the month, winning the Australian Masters on Nov. 15.Woods was to host his tournament, the Chevron World Challenge, on Monday at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif.He won six times this year after missing eight months recovering from reconstructive surgery on his left knee. Even though he failed to win a major, Woods said he considered this a successful year because he did not know how his knee would respond. Woods rarely faces such private scrutiny, even as perhaps the most famous active athlete in the world. He usually makes news only because of what he can do with a golf club. Few other athletes have managed to keep their private lives so guarded, or have a circle of friends so airtight when it comes to life off the course. His wife was awarded a $183,250 settlement and an apology from an Irish magazine that published a fake nude photo of her, and Woods received a $1.6 million settlement in a lawsuit against the builder of his yacht -- named Privacy -- for using his name and photos of the boat as promotional material. Woods is approaching $100 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour, and Forbes magazine reported that combined with endorsements, appearance fees and golf course design, he has become the first athlete to top $1 billion. Woods' $2.4 million home is part of an exclusive subdivision near Orlando, a community set on an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course and a chain of small lakes. The neighborhood, which is fortified with high brick walls and has its own security force, is home to CEOs and other sports stars such as the NBA's Shaquille O'Neal.
Copyright 2009 by WFTV.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.