Tennis champion, Venus Williams is breaking her silence after her involvement in a fatal car crash last month that killed a Florida man.
The 37-year-old took to Facebook on Friday evening, revealing to fans and followers that she was “devastated” by the collision that sent 78-year-old, Jerome Barson to a hospital, where he reportedly died two weeks later.
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“I am devastated and heartbroken by this accident,” Williams wrote. “My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Jerome Barson and I continue to keep them in my thoughts and prayers.”
In a police report obtained by TMZ, Williams was at fault for the accident with law enforcement stating, “[Venus] is at fault for violating the right of way of [the other driver].”
Williams was allegedly trying to make it through an intersection when she was T-boned by Barson’s wife, Linda, who did not have time to stop before Williams cleared the lane. While Barson’s wife survived and suffered broken bones, Barson reportedly suffered head trauma and was in the ICU for 14 days before he passed.
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The Barson family filed a wrongful death lawsuit on Friday against Williams, citing she broke several traffic laws when she caused the tragic car accident and failed to yield right of way when she sped through the intersection, despite a red light.
As of now, authorities report there is no evidence that Williams was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, nor is there evidence of any distraction caused by electronic devices.
In a statement to Entertainment Tonight, Williams’ attorney said that his client “entered the intersection on a green light” when the Barsons crashed into her. He goes on to state that “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.”
