PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fl (CelebrityAccess) — Tennis star Venus Williams is facing a wrongful-death lawsuit after she was found to be culpable in a deadly automobile accident.
According to the New York Times, a police report states that Williams was crossing an intersection in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on June 9th when she collided with a vehicle being driven by Linda Barson. Barson's husband Jerome, a passenger in the car, sustained injuries in the crash and died from those injuries on June 22nd.
Witnesses at the scene told investigators that Williams ran a red light as the Barson's car entered the intersection with a green light. Neither driver was suspected of being under the influence at the time of the accident, or distracted by electronics or other factors, the police report said.
Investigators determined that Williams was at fault for "violating the right of way" of the other vehicle.
According to the lawsuit, filed on Thursday and obtained by The New York Times, Linda Barson sustained injuries that include “a cracked sternum, shattered right arm, broken wrist, hand, and fingers.” Her husband Jerome suffered internal bleeding, a fractured spine and massive internal organ damage, according to TMZ.
The suit seeks unspecified damages for loss of companionship for both Linda and their family, loss of earnings, pain, and suffering, and medical and funeral expenses.
Williams is currently in London to take part in the Wimbledon tennis tournament. – Staff Writers
