Golf: Detectives look at SUV's 'black box' from Tiger Woods crash

Tiger Woods' SUV vehicle rests on its side after a rollover accident in which he suffered serious leg injuries. Photo / AP

Detectives are looking at data from the so-called "black box" of Tiger Woods' SUV to get a clearer picture of what happened during the Southern California rollover crash last week that seriously injured the golf star, authorities said Wednesday.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said traffic investigators used a search warrant to get the data from the device on the Genesis SUV that Woods was driving.

There was no information regarding what was found in the black box, Deputy Trina Schrader said.

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The 2021 GV80, made by the Hyundai luxury brand, is likely to have a newer version of event data recorders nicknamed "black boxes" after more sophisticated recorders in airplanes. They store a treasure trove of data for authorities to review.

Tiger Woods looks on during the trophy ceremony on the practice green after the final round of the Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club. photo / AP

Woods suffered a serious injury to his right leg that needed surgery when his SUV went off a Los Angeles County road and rolled on a downhill stretch known for crashes. Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Woods was not drunk and was driving alone in good weather when the SUV hit a raised median, went across oncoming lanes and rolled several times.

California law allows law enforcement to seek search warrants for data recorders that were involved in fatal or serious injury crashes. Law enforcement must show that the recorders could have evidence of a felony or misdemeanor in the crash, and detectives must limit their review of the data to information directly related to the offence.

Tiger Woods rolled his car and was cut out of the vehicle with the jaws of life. Photo / NBC Los Angeles

USA TODAY first reported the search warrant.

A black box is a computer that stores data from a vehicle's sensors, which can be downloaded. The boxes usually are below the centre of the dashboard or beneath seats to be protected from damage.

Federal regulations do not require the boxes in cars, but the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says nearly all vehicles have them now. The recorders have to store 15 data points including speed before impact and whether brake and accelerator pedals were pressed.

- AP