Tiger Woods' Wife To Face Jail Time?

What happened, Tiger?

Not only is the Florida Highway Patrol looking for answers about last week's bizarre crash, but so are friends of the notoriously private sports star.

"I just hope he tells his side of the story about what happened, said friend Charles Barkley to the New York Post. "You've got to face the music, because it is what it is. Not talking about it can make it worse."

Shutting out police for the third time today, and now canceling his appearance in the Chevron World Challenge golf tournament for later this week, speculation surrounding the early Friday morning accident, and the events that preceded it, is growing more rampant and wild.

In the absence of a satisfying official narrative, the public is creating their own version of the Wood's ruined Thanksgiving,pieced together from leaked conversations and circumstantial evidenced. In the mind's eye of celebrity gossip it goes something like this:

Dramatization: The National Enquirer story was the last straw. Elin Nordegren, Tiger's wife of six years and mother of his two children, had had enough of his philandering. Tiger knew that he was in deep trouble over his affair with the "event planner," Rachel Uchitel. Still, he did not expect his Swedish model wife to "go ghetto" and bust out the nails. You would have thought that she would have been satisfied with the "Kobe Special" he had presented with the apology. Alas, not even a ring as big as a house had the power to quench the fiery passions of a woman scorned. Picking up a golf club, Elin challenged him to a duel. Sensing mortal danger, Tiger screamed "You've ruined our Thanksgiving! Are you happy now?" and hopped into his luxury SUV barefoot. Speeding away,Tigerhit a fire hydrant and then a tree.Hot on his tail, Elin arrived in a golf cart, club in hand to finish him off. Thankfully for Tiger, a neighbor was on hand to call for help.

So far, all we have from Tiger is this statement released Sunday on his website:

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."

Perhaps it is time to speak up.

TMZ is reporting thatFlorida Highway Patrol troopers paid a visit today to the hospital where Tiger Woods was transported early Friday morning. The reason for their visit? According to witnesses present, it was to gather information about whether the injuries sustained by Tiger Woods were consistent with a car accident or domestic violence.

Here's what's important about that. As friend and YourTango contributor Bonnie Fuller points out on her site HollywoodLife, "If Elin did attack you, Tiger, she could face serious charges!"

Tiger, no wonder you're walking on eggshells! Your wife Elin could be in jail by the end of the week! HollywoodLife.com spoke to several prominent celeb-defending attorneys and they all say the same thing — if Elin is responsible for the lacerations on your face she could face serious jail time, even if you don't press charges. We did some digging and domestic violence does not sit well in your home state of Florida — if charged and found guilty, Elin must serve a mandatory minimum of five days in the county jail!

But it's all up to the District Attorney, we're told, so you both better cross your fingers. "It depends how the DA feels about domestic violence. They could prosecute her independently and she could easily be locked up. She would have to be in court by the end of the week," says renowned NYC lawyer Raoul Felder. [Source: HollywoodLife]

Photo via Fame Pictures.