Tiger Woods was involved in a one-car accident that occurred near his home in Florida hours after the Thanksgiving holiday. According to reports by the Florida Highway Patrol, Woods crashed his 2009 Cadillac Escalade into a fire hydrant and tree at 2:25 a.m. His wife, Elin Nordegren, heard the crash and used a golf club to break a window in the SUV in order to pull Woods out. He was later treated for minor injuries and released from Health Central Hospital.
But did Woods risk a lucrative career by driving drunk? Although the Florida Highway Patrol suggested that the accident did not appear to be alcohol related, it usually takes an inexperienced driver to crash into a fire hydrant while sober. The accident continues to be under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Worth nearly $1 billion according to Forbes magazine, Woods has become a cultural icon who is arguably the most recognizable athlete on the planet. Responsibility comes with such a title. Unless there is a health or family emergency, Woods should never put himself in a position where he is forced to drive while possibly inebriated during the wee hours of the morning. A man of his stature should hire a driver to be on call 24 hours a day. Although Woods has made well-calculated decisions in the past, this one mishap could have been disastrous for his career and life. –a.r.
