Venus Williams cleared over fatal Florida car crash before Wimbledon
Jerome Barson, 78, died 13 days after the crash
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Your support makes all the difference.Venus Williams has been cleared of all charges filed against her for a crash in June that fatally injured the other driver's husband, police have confirmed.
The Palm Beach Gardens police report said an unidentified third vehicle illegally cut off Williams as she tried to cross a busy six-lane highway near her home, setting off a chain of events that ended with a sedan driven by Linda Barson, 68, slamming into the passenger side of Williams' SUV.
Barson's 78-year-old husband, Jerome, died 13 days after the June 9 crash and she suffered a broken arm and other injuries. Williams, 38, was not hurt. Jerome Barson's estate had filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Williams, seeking unspecified damages.
Officer David Dowling, the lead investigator, said in his report that video from a nearby security camera shows Williams legally entered the junction from a road exiting her gated neighbourhood on a green light. As she started to cross, a dark sedan cut her off, forcing her to stop. When the sedan cleared her path, Williams began moving forward in but that put her in the path of the Barsons, who now had the green light. The Barsons' car hit Williams' SUV at 40 mph.
Dowling said in his report that state law required Williams to exit the junction and that even though Linda Barson had the green light she was obligated to make sure it was clear.
The Barson family's attorney, Michael Steinger, said Dowling's conclusions are wrong and the suit will be pursued.
“Ms. Williams clearly violated our client's right of way because our client had a green light, as indicated in each and every police report issued in this case to date,” Steinger said in a statement. “The report is further inaccurate because the video surveillance does not indicate the colour of Ms. Williams' light and therefore does not support the police department's conclusion.”
Williams' attorney, Malcolm Cunningham, didn't immediately return an email seeking comment.
Williams, the older sister of tennis star Serena Williams, has won seven Grand Slam titles, including five at her favourite tournament, Wimbledon.
Weeks after the crash, Williams competed at Wimbledon, losing in the finals on July 15 to Garbine Muguruza. Williams broke down in tears when asked at a tournament press conference about the crash and Jerome Barson's death.
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