Tennis legend Venus Williams has scored a major win in the legal battle against the family of Jerome Barson.
The elderly man lost his life on June 9th after a collision of cars set off a ripple effect, something his relatives are blaming on Williams in their civil lawsuit.
However, police are now saying the 37-year-old drove lawfully. ESPN reports:
Williams legally entered an intersection but was cut off by another car, setting off a chain of events that seconds later resulted in a fatal crash with a third car, police say a video released Friday shows.
The video, taken by a security camera, shows Williams heading north as she stops her 2010 Toyota Sequoia SUV at a stoplight behind a white car as she exits her Palm Beach Gardens neighborhood shortly after 1 p.m. on June 9.
When the light turns green, the white car turns left onto a six-lane, heavily traveled boulevard, but Williams heads straight. A dark-colored sedan traveling south turns left in front of her, causing her to stop.
Palm Beach Gardens police said in a statement Friday that Barson’s light had turned green just before Williams moved in front of her. Barson’s 78-year-old husband, Jerome Barson, died June 22 from injuries suffered in the crash.
Williams, who was not hurt, has not been cited or charged. Police spokesman Maj. Paul Rogers said Friday the video has caused investigators to re-evaluate their original conclusion that Williams was at fault.
Though the investigation is on-going, it’s a significant development in favor of Williams, who broke down in tears over the situation at a Wimbledon press conference this week.
Breaking her silence on the matter just days before, Williams said:
It is and seemed just like a tragic accident. May he RIP and she get over her guilt/grief and the widow as well. Wrong place and time.
The guy’s family seems like blood vultures. They did not even allow themselves time to grieve before going after Williams in civil court for MONEY. Hopefully this new evidence will make them realize that Williams was not at fault. The car insurance companies look at who was at fault in an accident first for all claims and clearly Barson was at fault because he hit Williams. Hence, the reason why his car was badly wrecked and he died while Williams, who was not at fault, suffered no injuries. It takes a lot of nerve to sue someone for something you or a family member did.
Venus is an American icon. The first African American woman to be ranked #1 in the world. The first black woman to win 4 Grand Slams. The first female player to win equal prize money to the men after winning Wimbledon in 2007. And she is the most decorated tennis Olympian in the open era with Serena right behind her. She means so much to tennis and I am glad the truth is out. Now she can continue to focus on Wimbledon as she plays her 4th round match on Monday. Good luck to you Venus! #Wimbledon6
Yaaaaaaaas
Blah…blah…blah….nothing you wrote has anything to do with this story.
Basically the old woman killed her own husband and now wants to be paid for doing it. Absolutely disgusting. Hopefully they get nothing and they live a miserable life.