Tennis star Venus Williams is being blamed for a terrible car accident in Palm Beach County that took one man’s life & left his wife severely injured.
Reports say Williams allegedly ran a red light, causing Linda Barson to smash into her SUV, ultimately killing her 78-year-old husband Jerome Barson and leaving her with traumatic injuries.
Here’s what happened according to police reports obtained by TMZ:
Venus broke the law on June 9 by entering an intersection in Palm Beach County, and she failed to yield the right of way, blew through a red light, drove too fast while distracted, and recklessly created a situation where the accident was unavoidable.
78-year-old Jerome Barson, a passenger in the car, died 14 days after the accident. Barson’s wife, Linda, who was driving the Hyundai, was severely injured. According to the suit, the impact was so severe their car was “crushed, the front windshield shattered, the airbags deployed, there was crush damage to the rear on the driver’s side, and the back window was shattered.” Jerome suffered massive internal bleeding, a fractured spine and massive internal organ damage. He was transported to an ICU unit where he lingered and died June 22. Linda, who survived, suffered a cracked sternum and multiple broken bones.
To make matters painfully worse for the couple of 33 years, Linda says she watched her husband die on her 68th birthday.
The Barson lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages for personal loss, lost wages, pain & suffering, as well as medical & funeral expenses.
Venus Williams’ rep, Malcolm Cunningham has released a statement in response to the allegations:
“Ms. Williams entered the intersection on a green light.”
“The police report estimates that Ms. Williams was traveling at 5 mph when Mrs. Barson crashed into her. Authorities did not issue Ms. Williams with any citations or traffic violations.” “This is an unfortunate accident and Venus expresses her deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one.”
Cunningham also claims Williams’ light was green & says she was going only 5 MPH when she crossed into the intersection.
Flip the page for pictures of the Barson’s damaged vehicle taken just after the crash:
