Scottie Scheffler, a number one athlete, has been charged with second-degree assault on a police officer after an officer was reportedly dragged to the floor and hurt by Scheffler’s car during this week’s PGA championship.
Scheffler, who is competing for a$ 20, 000, 000 bag at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, is also charged with third- level criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding customers signals from an officer according to what the golf referred to as a “big mistake” on Friday night.  ,
According to a police statement obtained by ESPN, prospects outside the active golf club had been halted after a man was fatally struck by a shuttle van earlier in the morning, with Detective Bryan Gillis directing cars on Shelbyville Road.  ,
Gillis was standing in the western paths of the street when Scheffler’s SUV pulled into them” to prevent visitors backup”, the outlet reported. According to the Louisville Metro Police Department, Gillis was dressed in his police even and was wearing a “high-visibility bright reflective rain jacket.”
When the policeman stopped Scheffler’s car and tried to give guidelines,” the participant refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging Detective Gillis to the terrain”, the statement stated.
Police say the detective suffered “pain, swelling and abrasions” to his left wrist and knee after being dragged, and had to be taken to the emergency room by medical personnel.  ,
The professional golfer was detained but released shortly after 8:40 a.m. without bail, and returned to the club with less than an hour to go before the tee-off, according to ESPN.
Scheffler will be arraigned in court on Tuesday morning for an arraignment.  ,
” This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers”, Scheffler said in a statement posted to his Instagram Stories. Given the tragic accident that had occurred earlier, it was understandable that it was a very chaotic situation, and there was a significant misinterpretation of what I was being asked to do.
” I never intended to disregard any of the instructions”, he claimed. ” I’m hoping to put this to the side and concentrate on golf today.”
He also expressed his “deep sympathies” to the family of the man who perished in the shuttle bus accident earlier that morning.  ,
” It truly puts everything in perspective”, the golfer added.
Statement from Scottie Scheffler. Calls it a “very chaotic situation”. pic. twitter.com/hS6OdqpZwD
— Sean Zak ( @Sean_Zak ) May 17, 2024
Scheffler appeared to be trying to drive around the crash scene when Gillis was injured, ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, who was on the scene at the time of the incident, said.
At one point, the detective “attached himself” to the side of Scheffler’s SUV, the outlet reported.
Steven Romines, Scheffler’s attorney, told ESPN that his client was unaware of the fatal accident and was just “going into Valhalla to work out”.
He was getting ready for his time on the tee. They were directing traffic. He refused to give his credentials and entered like they had been instructed to”, he said. ” Apparently, there had been a traffic accident, maybe even a fatality, down the road, and that had changed the traffic patterns, and he was unaware of that”.
Speaking to press outside the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections, Romines said
Gillis ‘ absence from the event’s regular traffic detail contributed to the miscommunication.  ,
” They are allowed to go through, that’s why they have the credential and the wave- through,” the lawyer said”. ]Scheffler ] was unaware there had been a wreck, and he proceeded like they’d been instructed to. He entered the building exactly as he was told to.
Romines added that his client is going to cooperate with police, saying” we’ll deal with it as it progresses.”
Our top priority for today is the family of John Mills, who tragically lost his life while reporting to work, according to PGA of America, in a statement obtained by ESPN. We are fully cooperating as local authorities review what transpired in relation to the incident involving Scottie Scheffler. While the legal process plays out, questions should be directed to Scheffler’s attorney or local authorities.”
Mills, a 69- year- old from Crestwood, Kentucky, was a worker with one of PGA’s vendors, the association said.
” This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. In a statement released by WAVE, PGA of America said,” We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.  ,
On X, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg also expressed his condolences to Mills ‘ family.
” This morning, our city experienced a tragic accident that took the life of John Mills, a Louisvillian who will be greatly missed by his family and our community, “he wrote”. This family who lost their loved one is our focus. I have spoken with members of Mr. Mills ‘ family to convey our city’s condolences.”
A statement from Mayor Greenberg. pic. twitter.com/Ey0vtgnfqr
— Mayor Craig Greenberg ( @LouisvilleMayor ) May 17, 2024
