Venus Williams agrees settlement in fatal Florida car crash [Update Post #6]

[A.A.Z]

MIAMI: The family of a man who died in a car crash involving Venus Williams plan to sue the tennis superstar, a lawyer said Friday.

Attorney Michael Steinger told ABC television’s “Good Morning America” that the family of Jerome Barson would file a wrongful death suit against Williams following the June 9 crash in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Barson, who suffered head injuries in the accident, died two weeks later on June 22.

“At this point we are attempting to both preserve the evidence and gain access to evidence,” Steinger told the program.

“There were video cameras placed at guard houses where Ms. Williams lives, police have refused after multiple requests to turn those over to us, and we would like to see visual portrayal of the accident on those videos,” he added.

According to details of a Palm Beach Gardens police report, Williams’ 2010 Toyota Sequoia SUV was in collision with a 2016 Hyundai Accent driven by Barson’s wife, Linda Barson.

The police report described Williams as being “at fault” in the incident. The accident remains under investigation and she has not been charged with an offence.

A statement from Williams’ attorney Malcolm Cunningham on Thursday said the incident was an “unfortunate accident.”

“Ms. Williams entered the intersection on a green light,” Cunningham said.

“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 said Williams entered an intersection on a green light that turned red during her turn but became stuck in the intersection because of traffic.

The police report said Williams was deemed at fault for blocking the right of way of the other vehicle.

https://arysports.tv/venus-williams-faces-lawsuit-over-deadly-crash-2/

 

[kingusama92]

While Venus is at fault, how did the other driver not see a big SUV in the middle of the intersection?

 

[A.A.Z]

While Venus is at fault, how did the other driver not see a big SUV in the middle of the intersection?

Yes quite incredulous.

 

[idrizzy]

Wimbledon 2017: Venus Williams breaks down in press conference when asked about fatal car crash

London: Venus Williams broke down in tears during a Wimbledon press conference on Monday when she was asked about her involvement in a fatal car crash.

Williams is being sued by the estate of an elderly Florida man who died last month after his vehicle was hit by a car driven by the American star.

The 37-year-old is accused of running a red light, inattentive driving and negligent operation of a vehicle, leaving Jerome Barson with a fractured spine and numerous internal injuries before his death several weeks later.

After her 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 victory over Elise Mertens in the Wimbledon first round, world number 11 Williams was repeatedly asked about the incident by the media and eventually became so emotional she began to cry.

"There are really no words to describe, like, how devastating and -- yeah. I'm completely speechless. It's just..." Williams said.

The five-time Wimbledon champion held her head for several moments and asked to leave the room before returning, still visibly shaken, to finish the interview session several minutes later.

Williams, who owns a home near the crash site, last week said she was "heartbroken" over the tragic incident as she prepared to make her 20th appearance at Wimbledon.

She was focused enough on court against Mertens, but it quickly became clear the press conference wasn't going to be so easy to deal with.

Asked about her feelings during such a difficult period, she tried to keep her answers limited to tennis at first.

"I've definitely played a lot of tennis. It's a good thing to be on the court," she said.

"Tennis is still the love of my life. You know, it gives me joy.

"This is my 20th Wimbledon. I never thought that I'd play this many. But I'm grateful to be here and to play."

The accident remains under investigation and Williams has not been charged.

Williams' attorney, Malcolm Cunningham said his client entered an intersection on a green light that turned red during her turn, but she was stuck in the intersection because of traffic.

The police report said Williams was deemed at fault for blocking the right of way of the other vehicle.

When she was asked how she was coping mentally, Williams added: "I have no idea what tomorrow will bring. That's all I can say about it. That's what I've learned."

At such a traumatic time, the seven-time Grand Slam winner admitted she would have loved to be able to spend more time with her sister Serena.

But reigning Wimbledon champion Serena is out of action at the moment as she prepares to give birth to her first child later this year.

"I miss her a lot. I think she misses me," Venus said.

Source: http://www.firstpost.com/sports/wim...when-asked-about-fatal-car-crash-3773019.html

 

[ShadabFakhar]

Seems like one of them unfortunate circumstances really. The victim's family will obviously feel aggrieved. I hope they're not just trying to cash in on a tragedy here, because while technically she's at fault , it does seem that the other driver would've had to have been speeding, distracted or both.

 

[MenInG]

Venus Williams has settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the family of a man who died as a result of a car crash in Florida involving the US tennis star.

Ms Williams and the family of Jerome Barson reached a settlement last week, court documents show. Further details were not included.

Mr Barson, 78, suffered "massive" fatal injuries from the collision in Palm Beach Gardens city on 9 June 2017.

Police had previously cleared Ms Williams of wrongdoing over the crash.

Mr Barson's wife Linda, who was driving the couple's vehicle through an intersection when the collision happened, was also earlier cleared by police investigators.

A report into the incident says that an unidentified third vehicle illegally crossed Ms Williams's path as she tried to move through a busy main road on a green light near her home.

This, the report said, set off a chain of events that ended with the vehicle driven by Linda slamming into the passenger side of Ms Williams's SUV, the Associated Press reports.

Venus Williams breaks down in news conference

Mr Barson was subsequently taken to hospital but died two weeks later from his injuries.

Police said in an initial report that factors such as drugs, alcohol or mobile phone distractions were not being investigated.

Ms Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, reportedly told police at the time that she had not seen the couple's car and had been driving slowly.

Lawyers for Ms Williams and the Barsons have not yet commented on the latest reports.

 

[gazza619]

Should have been in jail for a bit and paid the settlement as well. I like this law system, the rich get away unpunished by paying some cash.

 

[Pakistanian]

Should have been in jail for a bit and paid the settlement as well. I like this law system, the rich get away unpunished by paying some cash.

It wasn't exactly her fault and this was an ACCIDENT. She didn't intend to kill the man, you don't imprison people over a car accident unless it was premeditated murder. We already have way too many people in our prison-industrial complex.

 

[pmahones]

Should have been in jail for a bit and paid the settlement as well. I like this law system, the rich get away unpunished by paying some cash.

You logic is a bit confusing. Facts are,

1) She had green light
2) was moving at 5mph
3) she did not hit/collide with anyone
4) she wasn't cited for any moving violation.

Why should she be in jail?

 

[DeadBall]

You logic is a bit confusing. Facts are,

1) She had green light
2) was moving at 5mph
3) she did not hit/collide with anyone
4) she wasn't cited for any moving violation.

Why should she be in jail?

Wonder how much jail time he would allotted for himself if he were in a similar situation.

(Not to mention the guy was 78. Who knows if he was even in a condition to be on the road)

 

[gazza619]

It wasn't exactly her fault and this was an ACCIDENT. She didn't intend to kill the man, you don't imprison people over a car accident unless it was premeditated murder. We already have way too many people in our prison-industrial complex.

All car accidents are accidents and are not premeditated. The point is around carless driving.

 

[gazza619]

You logic is a bit confusing. Facts are,

1) She had green light
2) was moving at 5mph
3) she did not hit/collide with anyone
4) she wasn't cited for any moving violation.

Why should she be in jail?

Well the police said it was her fault..

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-40452270

 

[pmahones]

Well the police said it was her fault..

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-40452270

It would help read a bit further.

"[Ms Williams] is at fault for violating the right of way of [the other driver]," the report said,

Police haven't disputed the facts that I stated. The conclusion by the police is an interpretation of events which could easily be wrong.

You are allowed to enter the intersection only when you its safe, not when you have right of way.

Ms. William's maybe guilty if right of way violation. The old woman (husband s 78) is guilty of unsafe driving and should have her driving license revoked..

 

[humzy]

People go to prison all the time in Australia for disobeying road rules which eventually causes someones death.

I remember my friend died on his motorbike when we were 17, he was accidentally hit by my other friends car who ended up doing 5 years in prison.

 

[pmahones]

People go to prison all the time in Australia for disobeying road rules which eventually causes someones death.

I remember my friend died on his motorbike when we were 17, he was accidentally hit by my other friends car who ended up doing 5 years in prison.

Happens in US too. Its called vehicular homicide and happens often.

It helps the details a bit. such as,

!) she entered the intersection when the light was green

2) she was moving at a glacial pace of 5 mph

3) she is the one who got hit

and that the other driver was s 70+ woman

At the scene the officers concluded that it wasn't even worth the traffic violation ticket