Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Venus blamed for car smash that killed OAP
She pulled out across junction, say cops
WIMBLEDON star Venus Williams is to blame for a car crash which killed an elderly man, police say.
Her SUV was “T-boned” on a crossroads by a vehicle which had right of way. A 78-year-old in the second car was taken to hospital with head injuries and died two weeks later. His wife, who was driving, told police she was approaching the crossroads in Palm Beach, Florida, when Williams’ SUV darted into her path. There was no time to stop and she ploughed into the side. Williams, 37, who is expected to play at Wimbledon next week, told police she tried to make it across the junction but traffic slowed to a crawl, leaving her car exposed. Police say she was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol and there was no evidence she was distracted by an electronic device. But they have blamed the world’s 11th-ranked player for the accident. According to a report, “[Venus Williams] is at fault for violating the right of way of [the other driver]”. The dead man, named as Jerome Barson, is said the have suffered severe head trauma. His wife, who was not identified, was taken to hospital with broken bones and other injuries. It is not the first time the five-times Wimbledon ace, older sister of Serena, has had road trouble. In 2002 she escaped injury when the car in which she was travelling crashed. Half-brother, Richard Williams III, 37, and wife, Ana, 36, also in the vehicle, were treated in hospital and discharged. In September 2009 she was stopped for driving with no proof of insurance and fined £90. Four years later she was accused of driving on a suspended or revoked licence and fined £125.