Victim’s family sues Williams over fatal car crash
As Venus Williams seeks a sixth title at Wimbledon, the tennis legend now faces a wrongful death lawsuit accusing her of negligence in a June 9 car crash that took the life of a 78-year-old man.
The estate of Jerome Barson, who died 13 days after the collision at a Palm Beach Gardens intersection, on Friday filed the action for unspecified damages against Williams in Palm Beach County Circuit Court.
In media interviews, representatives for Williams have said they were aware of the litigation resulting from the “unfortunate accident” and that her appearance in the Grand Slam tournament beginning Monday in London would still go on.
A statement noted Williams, 37, has expressed “her deepest condolences” and mentioned she was not given any traffic citations.
Palm Beach Gardens police on Friday said the crash remains under investigation and the department would not comment beyond an initial report.
Barson — whose Florida death certificate listed him as a tennis professional — died as a result of traumatic injuries including “severed main arteries, massive internal bleeding, a fractured spine, and massive internal organ damage,” according to the suit filed by attorney Michael Steinger.
The grandfather of seven was the front-seat passenger in a 2016 Hyundai Accent driven by his wife, Linda, 68, according to the police report released Thursday.
The lawsuit, brought by the couple’s daughter Audrey Gassner-Dunayer on behalf of the victim’s estate, also listed
Linda Barson’s injuries from the crash: “a cracked sternum, shattered right arm, broken right wrist, hand and fingers.”
Her husband of more than 33 years died on her birthday, June 22, according to the lawsuit.
The crash occurred at 1:13 p.m. in the intersection of Northlake Boulevard and BallenIsles Drive.
Williams was driving a 2010 Toyota Sequoia north toward Ball en Isles, at an estimated 5 mph, while the Bar sons, who live west of Palm Beach Gardens, were moving west at an estimated 25 mph, accordingtothe report. Williams lives in the BallenIsles community.
Williams’ SUV was hit on the right side by theBarsons’ Hyundai when the Toyota came through the intersection in front of the Barsons, police said.
Williams told an officer she was traveling on a green light when she stopped “in the median break due to other traffic.”
Linda Barson told police she was slowing for a red light when it turned green. “[Barson] advised she proceeded thru the intersection when [Williams] cut across in frontof[Barson], and[Barson] was unable to avoid crashing into [Williams],” the report stated.
“[Williams] advised she did not see [Barson] when she crossed the westbound lanes ofNorthlake Blvd.,” the report states.
The lawsuit blames Williams for “failing to yield the right of way, failing to stop at a red-light… failing to stop for oncoming traffic, driving too fast for the conditions, driving carelessly and recklessly, and distracted driving.”
The crash report says neither drugs nor alcohol were involved.
In an appearance Friday on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Steinger accused the police department of impeding his firm’s investigation.
“They have impounded all the vehicles and have impeded our ability to conduct our investigation and to be able to move forward,” Steinger said on the TV program.
The attorney said he has been trying to acquire videos and other evidence and has been blocked by police.
“I’m not sure what their reasoning is,” Steinger said.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for Barson’s lost earnings, medical and funeral expenses and other damages. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Cymonie Rowe, records show.