Venus Williams fights wrongful death lawsuit after crash

VENUS WILLIAMS is fighting back against a wrongful death lawsuit, after a car crash in Florida which killed a 78-year-old man.

Jerome Barson died after his car hit Williams’ vehicle in Palm Beach Gardens on June 9. Barson’s wife Linda, who was driving the car, suffered broken bones. He died two weeks later.

A police report said Williams was to blame because she turned left into Mrs Barson’s path, and they had the legal right of way when they hit her. Williams insists the traffic light was green when she turned, and that she was in the road because of traffic. On June 30 Mrs Barson filed the lawsuit, which does not specify the damages sought.

Yesterday documents obtained by a news website showed Williams was contesting the case. She denies causing the crash, and instead blames the passengers’ injuries on their own negligence for not wearing seat belts. The 37-year-old accused the Barsons of failing to maintain their vehicle. She also said that Mrs Barson’s injuries were “immaterial” to the case, and demanded that the estate hand over all autopsy reports, the death certificate, copies of marriage certificates, tax returns for past five years, life insurance policies and health insurance policies. Mrs Barson had previously asked Williams for similarly extensive records – including security camera footage of the crash, her phone records, and her driving record for seven years.

“If Venus isn’t guilty and she was driving with all due care and attention then why wouldn’t she hand over those records?” a source told the website.

Police have said they do not believe she was on the phone, nor that she was distracted or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The authorities are still investigating, and she has not been charged with any crime.

‘If Venus isn’t guilty and she was driving with all due care and attention then why wouldn’t she hand over those records?’