The police arrest report for Scottie Scheffler, the world’s number one golfer, says that a detective was dragged, hospitalized, and his $80 pants were “damaged beyond repair.”
Scheffler was detained early Friday morning after attempting to evade traffic outside the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. The 27-year-old Masters winner was slated to participate in the PGA Championships’ second round, and alleges that he mistaken police officers managing traffic as gate security for the Valhalla course.
Police were investigating a deadly accident in which a male employee was killed by a shuttle bus near the golf course. According to the arrest report, Louisville Metro police investigator Bryan Gillis was directing traffic into Valhalla when he allegedly noticed Scheffler pulling off to avoid other vehicles.
According to the report, Detective Gillis was in the middle of the westbound lanes wearing his full LMPD uniform and a high-visibility yellow luminous rain jacket. “Detective Gillis halted the subject and attempted to offer instructions. The subject refused to comply and surged forward, dragging Detective Gillis to the ground. Mr Gillis was injured during the attempted stop, and his $80 uniform pants were ruined, according to the report.
Detective Gillis experienced pain, swelling, and abrasions on his left wrist and knees. He was taken to the hospital for further medical treatment by emergency personnel. “Detective Gillis’ uniform pants, valued at approximately $80 were damaged beyond repair.”
ESPN video shows the golfer being hauled out of the car by authorities. As officers escorted him away, Scheffler appears to recognize ESPN’s Jeff Darlington as a reporter and requests for assistance. Police urged Mr. Darlington to back off, stating there was nothing he could do and Scheffler was “going to jail”. Scheffler faces a felony accusation of second-degree assault on a police officer, as well as charges of third-degree criminal mischief, careless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from a directing officer.
A Class C felony carries a recommended prison sentence of five to 10 years. In addition to jail time, Scheffler could be fined between $1,000 and $10,000 if he is found guilty.
The lawyer said there was a “miscommunication” between the Louisville police and Scheffler, WHAS11 reports.
“I think the officer that was directing traffic was maybe not part of the event traffic detail and so that’s where the miscommunication arose and that’s why we’re here,” Mr Romines said.
He said that golfers participating in the PGA Championship had been given credentials allowing them to access Valhalla, and that several already had passed by police before the entrance was closed due to the crash investigation.
They are allowed to go through, that’s why they have the credentials, it’s their way through,” Mr Romines said. “Unaware that there had been a wreck, [Scheffler] proceeded like they’d been instructed to.”
The attorney said that he and Scheffler plan to cooperate fully with the police. “We’ll just litigate this case as it comes. Scottie will cooperate fully, and we’ll just deal with it as it progresses,” he added.
