Tiger Woods car crash case takes fresh twist as golf legend due in court tomorrow

Tiger Woods plans to change his plea in his car crash case, according to reports. 

Woods, 50, was due to appear in court in Florida on 8 September.

But court records, first obtained by Golf Digest, reveal that the 15-time major champion will appear before a judge in Merlin County on Wednesday for a change of plea hearing. 

The hearing, which Woods will attend in person, is due to begin at 8am. 

It was not immediately clear what the change of plea would be. 

Woods was arrested on 29 March near his home in Jupiter after he rolled his Land Rover. 

The 82-time PGA Tour winner told cops he was attempting to overtake a truck towing a trailer.

Woods was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence because he "showed signs of impairment".

He was later charged with driving under the influence, damage to property and refusal to submit to a lawful test. 

He passed a breathalyzer test but refused urinalysis, according to the police report. 

Through his attorney, Woods previously entered not guilty pleas. 

Over the last few months, prosecutors have sought to obtain records relating to Woods' medications and medical treatment.

They wanted information about prescriptions filled, quantities and dosages, instructions for taking the drugs, and warnings about driving while using them. 

Woods’ lawyer, Douglas Duncan, initially objected, arguing that the records were protected by Woods’ constitutional privacy rights

Judge Darren Steele allowed prosecutors to obtain the prescription records, but imposed a protective order to prevent them from becoming public. 

Tiger Woods car crash - what happened?

The crash occurred shortly after 2pm in South Beach Road, a narrow two-lane road with a 30mph speed limit. 

According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Woods was driving behind a pickup truck towing a small pressure-cleaning trailer when he attempted to overtake it at a high rate of speed.

The truck was slowing to turn into a driveway and had little room to move aside. 

As Woods passed, his Land Rover swerved and clipped the rear of the trailer. 

The impact caused the SUV to roll onto its driver's side and slide along the roadway before coming to a stop.

Woods was able to climb out through the passenger-side door. Neither he nor the driver of the pickup was injured.

Sheriff's deputies said Woods displayed signs of impairment at the scene. 

A breathalyzer test detected no alcohol, but Woods refused to provide a urine sample. 

Authorities subsequently arrested him and charged him with driving under the influence, property damage and refusing to submit to a lawful test.

An arrest affidavit later said Woods appeared lethargic and had bloodshot, glassy eyes and dilated pupils. 

Two pills identified as hydrocodone were also found in his pocket. Woods said he had taken prescription medication.

He was released from custody later that night after the mandatory eight-hour detention period.

Police released body camera footage that captured the aftermath of the incident. 

Woods was observed telling officers that he was "just on the phone to the president". 

Another part of the clip showed Woods, calmly, kneeling on one knee as he explained: "I looked down at my phone, and all of a sudden, boom".

Woods told officers he had not consumed alcohol that day. 

When asked about any prescription medication, he responded, "I take a few", adding he had done so earlier that morning.

He then listed the medication, though that portion of the footage was redacted.

Officers told Woods they suspected his "normal faculties" were impaired by an "unknown substance".

Woods' long-time friend and close confidante, Rob McNamara, also arrived on the scene. 

McNamara took some of Woods' belongings into his possession, including his golf clubs.

McNamara explained to a deputy that the clubs were extremely valuable.

When the deputy joked that they were "worth more than my house" McNamara replied that the putter was worth more than all of their houses.

Woods later wrote on social media following the incident: "I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today.

"I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. 

"This is necessary in order for me to prioritise my wellbeing and work toward lasting recovery."

Woods sought treatment at a clinic in Switzerland and completed a 90-day program. 

He briefly returned to the United States to support his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, after she revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Woods made his first public appearance since the crash in June at the Travelers Championship.

He took no questions from reporters about the crash.