Speeding blamed for Tiger Woods crash

Tiger Woods was driving at twice the speed limit when he crashed an SUV in southern California leaving him seriously injured, authorities said.

The golfer was driving at 84-87 mph on a downhill stretch of road outside Los Angeles that had a speed limit of 45mph, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has said.

The stretch of road is known for crashes and drivers hitting speeds so high that there is an emergency exit for runaway vehicles just beyond where Woods crashed.

Mr Villanueva blamed the February 23 crash solely on excessive speed and Woods’ loss of control behind the wheel.

Detectives did not seek search warrants for the athlete’s blood samples, which could have been screened for drugs or alcohol.

Investigators search the SUV’s recorder, known black box, in the after the crash.

Woods is recovering from a lengthy procedure for shattered tibia and fibula bones in his lower right leg in multiple locations.

He was driving an SUV when he struck a raised median.

The car crossed through two oncoming lanes and uprooted a tree.

Sheriff’s captain James Powers said there was no evidence that the golfer braked throughout the accident and that it is believed Woods inadvertently hit the accelerator instead of the brake pedal.

Woods told deputies he did not know how the crash occurred and did not remember driving.

Woods, 45, has never gone an entire year without playing.

He had hoped to play in the Masters tournament, which started yesterday. did data as a days