Cops blame Venus Williams in Florida car crash that killed senior citizen as family sues for damages against Williams
Former world number one tennis player Venus Williams’ vehicle took the broadside hit, but cops said she’s ‘at fault’ in Florida car crash that killed senior citizen on June 9
Williams blamed the crash on heavy traffic that left her vehicle jutting out into the intersection, causing the other driver to T-bone the tennis pro’s SUV
Jerome Barson, 78, suffered head trauma and was taken to a hospital and placed in ICU where he died 2 weeks later
2017 Australian Open, Serena-Williams vs Venus Williams
The victim’s wife who was driving at the time, told police she was approaching an intersection westbound in Palm Beach Gardens, when Venus’ northbound SUV suddenly darted into the intersection. The other driver says there was no time to stop and she T-boned Venus’ vehicle. Venus told cops she was trying to make it through the intersection but there was a traffic backup and she had to slow down to a crawl, with her car exposed in the intersection.
“[Williams] is at fault for violating the right of way of [the other driver],” the police report allegedly said.
Crash scene photos show the wreck of the Barsons’ 2016 Hyundai Accent. The sub-compact is completely crumpled.
First responders examine the June 9 crash site in Miami, Fla
Venus Williams blamed the crash on heavy traffic that left her vehicle jutting out into the intersection, causing the other driver to T-bone the tennis pro’s SUV
The tennis great blamed the crash on heavy traffic that left her vehicle jutting out into the intersection, according to the report.
Barson suffered head trauma and was taken to a hospital and placed in ICU. He never recovered and died 2 weeks.
Police say in the report there was no evidence Venus who was driving at an estimated speed of 5 miles per hour at the time, was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They also say there’s no evidence she was distracted by an electronic device.
Jerome and Lilian Barson. Lilian was behind the wheel but 78-year-old Jerome died from head trauma sustained, two weeks later
Malcolm Cunningham attorney for Venus Williams said in a statement Thursday night: ‘This is an unfortunate accident and Venus expresses her deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one.’
He added that Miss Williams had entered an intersection while the light was green and was going 5 mph when the other vehicle crashed into hers. Venus was not given a ticket or charged, he added.
Meanwhile, the Barson family are now seeking unspecified damages for loss of companionship for both Linda Barson and their family, loss of earnings, pain and suffering, and medical and funeral expenses.
Lilian Barson said Miss Williams’ SUV ‘suddenly darted’ into the intersection and there was no time to stop before she crashed into the side of the vehicle driven by the older of the tennis playing Williams sisters.
According to the lawsuit, the impact was so severe their car was ‘crushed, the front windshield shattered, the airbags deployed, there was crush damage to the rear on the driver’s side, and the back window was shattered.’
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