Woods in Car Accident, Cause?..."Speeding More Likely Than Drugs or Alcohol"
Awakening and Recovering After Surgery
"Likely Rushed to Meet Appointment Time"
No Internal Damage, Hyundai's 'Genesis GV80' Saved Tiger Woods' Life
(Los Angeles, Reuters = Yonhap News) On the 23rd (local time), LA County sheriffs arrived at the scene of the car rollover accident involving the 'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods in Los Angeles, California, to conduct an investigation. Woods, who was driving Hyundai Motor Company's sport utility vehicle (SUV) 'Genesis GV80,' sustained multiple leg injuries in the accident and was urgently transported to the hospital for surgery. Police stated that the undamaged interior of the vehicle acted as a cushion, allowing Woods to survive. The vehicle, with the words 'Genesis International' visible on the driver's side door, was reportedly rented by Woods while staying in LA after hosting the PGA Genesis Invitational tournament last week under Hyundai's sponsorship.
knhknh@yna.co.kr
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[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Tiger Woods, the American 'Golf Emperor' who suffered severe leg injuries in a car accident, has reportedly undergone emergency surgery, drawing attention to the cause of the accident.
According to local media, on the 23rd (local time), Woods underwent a lengthy surgery at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, a Level 1 trauma treatment hospital in Los Angeles County, California.
Dr. Anish Mahajan, the medical center's chief, stated in a statement released via Woods' Twitter account that several fractures shattered Woods' right tibia and fibula, and a metal rod was inserted into the tibia to stabilize the injured area.
He also reported that the bones in the foot and ankle were fixed with screws and pins, and the swelling around the wound was reduced. The Woods Foundation also stated that Woods had awakened after surgery and was in recovery.
Although the surgery appears to have been successful, the cause of the accident has not yet been revealed.
There have been various speculations about the cause of the accident, as Woods has a history of traffic accidents while under the influence of drugs and was once arrested by police on suspicion of drunk driving after sleeping in a parked car.
However, the police stated that initial investigations related to the accident found no evidence of drug or alcohol involvement. Instead, the police suspect speeding as the cause.
'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods Vehicle Overturn Accident... Emergency Leg Surgery
(Los Angeles AP=Yonhap News) The vehicle carrying the United States' 'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods overturned on the 23rd (local time) near Rancho Palos Verdes in Los Angeles (LA) County, California, and lay on its side on a roadside hillside. Woods was urgently transported to the hospital and is reported to be undergoing leg surgery. [KABC-TV broadcast screen capture]
leekm@yna.co.kr
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The sport utility vehicle (SUV) driven by Woods rolled over dozens of meters, crossing the median strip and two lanes in the opposite direction at high speed.
No signs of sudden braking were found, but it is presumed that excessive centrifugal force due to speeding on a downhill curve prevented timely vehicle control.
Alex Villanueva, LA County Sheriff, said, "(The accident vehicle) seemed to be traveling relatively faster than the normal speed," adding, "The road where the accident occurred is a downhill curve, known for a high frequency of accidents." The speed limit in this section is 45 mph (72 km/h), but police said some vehicles have been caught driving over 80 mph (128 km/h).
If Woods did not reduce speed in this dangerous section, it is likely he hurried to meet an appointment at the time of the accident.
On that day, Woods had a scheduled shoot at a golf course with famous NFL quarterbacks Drew Brees and Justin Herbert. The appointment was set for 7:30 a.m., but Woods reportedly departed after 7 a.m. The hotel where Woods was staying was about an hour's drive from the shooting location.
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According to hotel staff, Woods hurriedly got into his car and started the engine but was restless because he could not leave immediately due to another vehicle loading luggage in front of the hotel. It was also reported that while rushing out, Woods nearly collided with a vehicle driven by the GolfTV program crew.
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