(Rightallegiance.com) – All charges against Scottie Scheffler, the world’s number one golfer, have been dismissed. This comes less than two weeks after his arrest while trying to navigate around the scene of a fatal crash on his way to the PGA Championship.
The incident led to felony and misdemeanor charges, including second-degree assault on a police officer, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals. However, Jefferson County court records reveal that these charges have now been dropped.
“Based upon the totality of the evidence, my office cannot move forward in the prosecution of the charges filed against Mr. Scheffler,” County Attorney Mike O’Connell stated in court. He acknowledged that Scheffler’s assertion of a “big misunderstanding” was supported by the evidence.
Jefferson County District Court Judge Anne Delahanty dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be brought up again, and noted that it would be eligible for expungement within 60 days.
Scheffler’s attorney, Steve Romines, expressed satisfaction with the dismissal, mentioning that they were prepared to litigate but chose not to pursue a civil suit to avoid taxpayer costs. “He’s glad it’s over,” Romines said, noting that Scheffler, who lives in Texas, had permission to miss the hearing.
The arrest happened on May 17 when Scheffler was heading to the Valhalla Golf Club for the PGA Championship. He was accused of dragging a police officer who was directing traffic after a fatal accident involving John Mills, a worker for a PGA vendor. Scheffler denied the allegations, calling it a “big misunderstanding.”
The case drew significant attention, especially after it was revealed that the arresting detective had not turned on his body-worn camera. Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) acknowledged the mistake and took corrective action.
Scheffler, a well-respected golfer who had recently won his second Masters title, managed to finish eighth in the PGA Championship despite the distraction. He expressed gratitude for the support from fans and fellow players, stating that their encouragement helped him focus on his game.
Romines also mentioned that Scheffler had reached out to Mills’ family to offer his condolences, emphasizing the importance of people like Mills to the success of such tournaments.
Body camera footage showing the aftermath of Scheffler’s arrest was released by the LMPD. The footage, albeit blurry, is legitimate and shows an officer reading Scheffler his Miranda rights.
The incident occurred around 6 a.m. on May 17, when Scheffler, driving a courtesy vehicle, tried to access the golf course amidst heavy traffic. According to a police report, Detective Bryan Gillis, who was directing traffic, claimed Scheffler refused to comply and dragged him to the ground. However, Scheffler and his attorney disputed this account, arguing that Scheffler had followed police instructions.
Despite the arrest and subsequent legal uncertainties, Scheffler maintained his focus and performed well during the championship. Now, with the charges dismissed, he can return his attention fully to his career and family.