Venus Williams is facing a wrongful death suit for her role in a fatal car crash last month, but police have found new evidence that supports her case.
When police initially found Williams at fault for the accident, which occurred at an intersection near her Florida home and caused the death of 78-year-old Jerome Barson, she claimed she entered the intersection legally at a green light before traffic forced her to stop in the middle.
Here’s the new video from a security camera, where you can see the accident occur in the intersection 25 seconds in, and again zoomed in at the 1:10 mark.
From the video, police found that Williams’ claim is true. She entered the intersection legally at a green light.
Here’s a statement from the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department:
After the initial investigation was conducted, new evidence into the incident was located. Video surveillance footage was obtained from a community south of the intersection which recorded the traffic crash. Based on the evidence obtained in the ongoing investigation, it has been determined the vehicle driven by Venus Williams lawfully entered the intersection on a circular green traffic signal, and attempted to travel north through the intersection to Ballen Isles Drive. As Williams was traveling through the intersection, a Nissan Altima entered the intersection traveling south, and made a left turn in front of William’s vehicle, causing her to stop advancing through the intersection to avoid a collision. After the Nissan had proceeded past Williams, Williams then started to proceed north through the intersection in accordance with F.S.S. 316.075 (1)(a)1.
However, it appears the Barson family will continue pursuing a wrongful death suit. Here’s a statement their attorney gave to TMZ:
“The video released by the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department continues to support the fact that Ms. Williams remained in the intersection at a red light, violating the Barsons’ right of way. There is nothing that disputes Ms. Williams’ was in the intersection on a red light, and the witnesses clearly confirm the Barsons’ had a green light and lawfully entered the intersection.”
The police investigation into the accident is ongoing.
