Posted Nov 30th 2009 12:05AM by TMZ Staff
Sources tell TMZ the Florida Highway Patrol is now focusing on obtaining a search warrant -- allowing them to seize medical records from the hospital that treated Tiger Woods -- in an attempt to determine if the wounds Woods sustained are consistent with a car accident or domestic violence.
We're told authorities believe they can show probable cause a crime was committed, a necessary step in obtaining a warrant.
One big piece of evidence showing probable cause ... sources tell us Tiger's wife, Elin Nordegren told FHP troopers she went looking for Tiger in a golf cart, came upon the accident and then used a golf club to break the window to gain entry. That's a very different story from what she first told Windemere cops shortly after the accident -- she never mentioned a golf cart. Nordegren told Windemere police she had walked out of her house, saw the crash, went back inside to get a golf club and returned to the vehicle.
TMZ has reviewed 21 photos from the scene -- no sign of any golf cart.
And there's more ... although alcohol was not involved, Tiger was in and out of consciousness and TMZ has already reported Tiger told a friend he was taking prescription meds for pain, which could be evidence of DUI. This, too, could constitute probable cause to obtain a warrant.
We're told the FHP is pursuing the search warrant option after getting shut down again Sunday in an attempt to interview Tiger and Elin and eyeball Tiger's wounds.
As we first reported, according to sources, Tiger told a friend Elin had attacked him after she confronted him with reported allegations he had cheated on her. We're told Tiger told the friend Elin then followed him out of the house and struck the moving vehicle with the golf club, causing him to get distracted and hit the hydrant.
If the FHP determines Elin attacked Tiger, we're told she could be arrested for domestic violence.
Filed under: Exclusives, Tiger Woods
Posted Nov 30th 2009 12:00AM by TMZ Staff
Dr. Phil wants everyone to know he wasn't responsible for a 2007 bus crash that injured 17 mothers -- it was all that pesky bus company's fault.
According to docs filed last week in L.A. Superior Court, the production company behind the "Dr. Phil" show claims it ain't their problem the bus they hired to transport a group of mothers to see the show had faulty brakes ... and ultimately plowed into a tree.
The "Dr. Phil" show was sued back in September by 5 passengers who claimed the show "negligently hired" a crappy bus to transport them to a taping of the show -- and therefore the crash was partly the show's fault.
So far, Dr. Phil's company has denied all liability -- but if a court says Dr. Phil and his people are liable anyway, the show wants the bus company to cover their fair share of the damages.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Dr. Phil, Exclusives
Posted Nov 29th 2009 3:25PM by TMZ Staff
TMZ has obtained incredible photos of Tiger Woods' SUV just after it crashed into a tree early Friday morning.
Filed under: Talk Sports, Photo Galleries, Exclusives, Tiger Woods
Posted Nov 29th 2009 2:26PM by TMZ Staff
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Tiger Woods has canceled yet another meeting with the Florida Highway Patrol.
We're told Tiger's lawyer canceled the meeting the FHP had wanted for 3:00 PM ET today. The lawyer gave no reason for the cancellation.
One of the things authorities want to see -- the wounds on Tiger's face ... whether they were caused by the accident or during a domestic dispute with his wife.
UPDATE: Here's how the FHP describes today's attempt to talk to Tiger: "The troopers went to the house to see if they could speak with Mr. Woods. Mr. Woods' attorney was present and told investigators that Mr. Woods was unavailable for an interview. Mr. Woods' attorney provided the troopers with Mr. Woods' driver's license information, registration and current proof of insurance as required by Florida Law. The crash investigation is ongoing and charges are pending."
Filed under: Talk Sports, Exclusives, Tiger Woods
Posted Nov 29th 2009 2:23PM by TMZ Staff
TMZ has obtained the 911 call made when Tiger Woods crashed his SUV early Friday morning.
The caller, a male, can be heard telling dispatchers, "I need an ambulance immediately, I have someone down outside my house ... It's a car accident ... My neighbor, he hit the tree. I see him and he's laying down."
When the dispatcher asked if the person was unconscious, the neighbor responded, "Yes."
Filed under: Talk Sports, Tiger Woods
Posted Nov 29th 2009 2:11PM by TMZ Staff
David Hasslehoff's ex-wife, Pamela Bach, had her own issues with alcohol last night -- we've learned she was arrested for DUI ... and she will probably do jail time.
According to law enforcement sources, Bach took a breathalyzer test and blew a .14 and a .13.
She was taken Van Nuys where she was booked and released. Bach tells TMZ, "I am remorseful and mortified. I am going through a really difficult time between David being in the hospital and dealing with the divorce." By the way, the divorce was final in 2007.
Bach added that she was trying to comfort her daughters earlier in the evening, then went to dinner where she had a few drinks.
According to official documents, bail was set at $15,000. Bach said she was released on her own recognizance and will attend an AA meeting today.
Bach was busted for DUI in March, 2009, pled no contest and was placed on probation. A second DUI in California gets you mandatory jail time.
UPDATE 5:55 PM ET: We just got off the phone with Pamela. She says she's on the way to an AA meeting right now. She says her girls "love and support her."
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Drunks, David Hasselhoff, Exclusives
Posted Nov 29th 2009 2:00PM by TMZ Staff
Taxi? Limo? Sedan? Nope -- Tiger Woods' alleged mistress took the Gloria Allred Express from LAX this afternoon.
Rachel Uchitel landed in Los Angeles and got bombarded with questions from paps. We got the silent treatment from her again -- but then Gloria swooped in to save the day ... with a hug.
Gloria kept her comments brief, saying, "At some point we'll decided what the next step should be."
Allred also said she won't be holding one of her famous press conferences in the coming days. We'll see about that.
Filed under: Talk Sports, Tiger Woods
Posted Nov 29th 2009 1:30PM by TMZ Staff
Tiger Woods had a "Kobe Special" on his brain hours after what looks like a domestic dispute with his wife, Elin Nordegren -- this according to someone who spoke with Tiger on Friday.
During the phone conversation on Friday, Tiger told his friend, "I have to run to Zales to get a 'Kobe Special.'" The person on the other end of the phone asked Tiger what a "Kobe Special" was. The reply -- "A house on a finger."
During the conversation, Tiger said his wife had "gone ghetto" on him.
As we first reported, Tiger told the friend his wife had scratched his face up during an argument over a report that the golf great had cheated on her. The "other woman" named in the story -- Rachel Uchitel -- calls the report "bulls**t."
Of course, the Kobe reference is the now-famous house/ring he gave his wife Vanessa after the whole Colorado thing. We're assuming Tiger was joking, though he can certainly afford it.
Filed under: Talk Sports, Exclusives, Tiger Woods
Posted Nov 29th 2009 1:28PM by TMZ Staff
Rachel Uchitel -- the alleged "other woman" in Tiger Woods' life -- is on her way to Los Angeles to meet with the one and only ... Gloria Allred.
We caught up with Rachel outside her NYC apartment early this morning and again at JFK airport.
She'll be meeting with Gloria today, and -- if history is any market -- you can expect a good ol' Gloria Allred news conferene on Monday -- we're guessing 11:30 AM PT.
We know the drill.
Filed under: Exclusives, Tiger Woods
Posted Nov 29th 2009 1:27PM by TMZ Staff
Tiger Woods just posted the following statement on his site:
"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."
Filed under: Talk Sports, Tiger Woods
Posted Nov 29th 2009 1:26PM by TMZ Staff
The 911 made on the morning of Tiger Woods' car crash did not come from Tiger's wife, Elin Nordegren -- it came from a neighbor.
Florida Highway Patrol says there was only one call made and it will be released sometime today. We'll put it up on the website, stat.
The FHP is scheduled to go back to Tiger's home at 3:00 PM ET to speak with him and his wife ... and to observe the marks on his face.
Stay tuned ...
Filed under: Talk Sports, Tiger Woods
Posted Nov 29th 2009 1:24PM by TMZ Staff
Nick Hogan was involved in a minor car accident last night in downtown Los Angeles.
There were no injuries. Police came to the scene, but no report was taken.
He was coming back from a charity event to raise money for an organization called Keep It On The Track that teaches people to drive safely.
Yes, really.
Filed under: The Hogans, Exclusives
Posted Nov 29th 2009 8:10AM by TMZ Staff
Mike Tyson's run-in with a photog at LAX earlier this month may have unearthed a lapse in security at one of the biggest airports in the world.
Sources tell TMZ Tyson's fight with the pap was not recorded by any camera other the one the photog had -- not a security camera, nothing. You'd think at an airport as highly-trafficked as LAX you couldn't go anywhere without being caught on video -- with the exception of the bathroom, of course.
The City Attorney has not yet decided what charges, if any, will be filed against either Tyson, the photog, or both.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Talk Sports, Exclusives, Mike Tyson
