Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Crash victim’s family seeks inspection of Williams’ phones
New claims that tennis star Venus Williams might have been distracted by her cellphone before a June 9 crash that resulted in a man’s death are the latest focus of a high-stakes court fight, records show.
Attorneys for victim Jerome Barson’s estate this week asked a judge to order the inspection of Williams’ mobile phones with passwords provided, and to ensure that Williams “refrain from altering or deleting” any data from the devices.
In the family’s wrongful death lawsuit against Williams, the lawyers alleged they should examine the phone because the evi-
dence they have so far shows Williams “may have been distracted and/or unnecessarily delayed in her reaction to applicable traffic signals and/or other surrounding traffic.”
No details were provided in the court file to support the allegation of distracted driving, which the lawyers first raised June 29 — seven days after Barson, 78, died, reportedly from a broken spine, massive internal bleeding and other injuries.
The expanded claim follows the release of a crash video, provided by Palm Beach Gardens police, showing that there was a third vehicle involved, as well as a finding Williams “lawfully entered” the intersection on a green traffic signal.
Police continue to investigate the crash and had no new information to provide Tuesday, said Maj. Paul Rogers.
Both sides in the civil court case have been on the offensive.
Williams’ lawyers have alleged Barson, the passenger in a Hyundai driven by his wife, wasn’t wearing a seat belt and this “unreasonable failure” contributed to his injuries. A crash report said Linda Barson wore a seat belt but it does not indicate whether her spouse did.
Barson’s lawyers have said data retrieved from the Hyundai proves both occupants were wearing seat belts.
On July 21, Williams’ attorneys expanded their own fact-finding mission. They’re seeking photos and information from a “private autopsy” of Jerome Barson, his will, and any life insurance policies, as well as marriage and medical records, for the last five years of his life.
A spokeswoman for the Barson estate’s lawyers did not respond to an email Tuesday requesting a comment about the allegations. Williams’ personal attorney, Malcolm Cunningham, could not be reached for comment despite a call to his West Palm Beach office.
Williams’ lawyers have not yet filed a response on the phone inspection issue, which would ultimately have to be decided by Circuit Judge Cymonie Rowe.
But Williams’ legal team recently objected to another attempt at the same information when the plaintiff’s lawyers moved to obtain phone records from TMobile, the cellphone provider for Williams during the crash. The Barsons have also sought Williams’ cellphone bills for June.
The crash happened near the gated entrance to the BallenIsles community where Williams, 37, lives.
After Williams entered the intersection of Northlake Boulevard and BallenIsles Drive, a Nissan Altima made a left turn in front of Williams’ Toyota Sequoia, causing her to stop in the middle, the video shows.
Police said Williams had to stop in the intersection to prevent crashing into the Nissan before continuing north toward BallenIsles. Then Williams’ SUV was hit by the Barsons’ westbound Hyundai, which had a green light.
Williams, who was not injured in the collision, has expressed her condolences to the Barson family and released a statement saying she was “devastated and heartbroken by this accident.”
The Barson family’s attorney, Michael Steinger, has said the video evidence proves Williams was in the intersection during a red light, “violating the Barsons’ right of way.”