Venus Williams has been found at fault for a car accident that led to the death of a 78-year-old man earlier this month, according to a police report obtained by TMZ.
Witnesses say Williams ran a red light, crashing into a car containing an elderly couple. Jerome Barson was in the passenger seat and sustained head trauma injuries that sent him to the ICU. He died two weeks later.
According to Linda Barson, who was driving, the light turned green as she approached the intersection and she couldn’t stop in time to prevent crashing into Williams’ car.
Williams told cops she entered the intersection when she still had a green light, but traffic ahead of her forced to her to slow down in the intersection as the light changed.
The report found Williams at fault for violating the Barsons’ right of way, but police say there’s no evidence Williams was under the influence of any drugs or distracted by an electronic device.
Here’s a statement from Williams’ attorney, Malcolm Cunningham, explaining what occurred from Williams’ point of view. Via TMZ:
“Ms. Williams entered the intersection on a green light,” her attorney Malcolm Cunningham said.
“The police report estimates that Ms. Williams was traveling at 5 mph when Mrs. Barson crashed into her. Authorities did not issue Ms. Williams with any citations or traffic violations.”
“This is an unfortunate accident and Venus expresses her deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one.”
Although the report found Williams at fault, she hasn’t been charged or cited.
[TMZ]
