Seven-time grand slam champion Venus Williams will face no legal action after a police investigation deemed her not to be at fault in a car accident that killed one person.
On June 9th Williams’ car was t-boned by another at an intersection in Palm Beach, Florida. A police investigation reported that her SUV was pointing out at the intersection. The other car involved contained two people, Jerome and Linda Barson. Jerome, who was 78, died 13 days after the accident. He was taken to hospital with spleen, pelvic and spinal fractures, before later developing multi-organ failure. His wife Linda suffered broken bones
Williams explained to the police that she moved into the intersection after following the vehicle in front of her. She then had to pause movement when the traffic light turned red. It was moments after that when she got hit by the other car. The police accept that it was the unidentified vehicle that started the chain of events.
On Wednesday the Palm Beach Gardens police concluded that neither Williams or the Barson’s were at fault. The findings were reported in a 18-page traffic homicide report.
“Based upon this investigation and relevant Florida state statutes, no charges will be filed in this case,” the police concluded.
Police initially deemed the 37-year-old to be at fault before later clarifying their comments. Footage of the incident that was caught by a local security camera supported Williams’ account of the crash.
“The unknown dark-colored vehicle … started a sequence of events resulting in [Barson] crashing into [Williams],” the report said.
Originally the family of the victim had filed a lawsuit against Williams for causing a wrongful death. Their lawyer, Michael Steinger, has slammed the police findings and has vowed to pursue the case.
“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,” Mr Steinger said in a statement.
“The report is further inaccurate because the video surveillance does not indicate the color of Ms. Williams’ light and therefore does not support the police department’s conclusion.”
There has been no comment from Williams’ legal team.
