Tennis star Venus Williams “lawfully entered the intersection” before a fatal car crash in Florida that eventually resulted in the death of 79-year-old Jerome Barson, the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department announced in a Friday statement.
Last month, Williams was ruled “at fault” in the accident, which took place on the afternoon of June 9. But after law enforcement obtained new video evidence from a community near the crash site, authorities determined that Williams was following traffic laws when she entered the intersection of Northlake Boulevard and BallenIsles Drive in Palm Beach Gardens, where the impact occurred.
“Video surveillance footage was obtained from a community south of the intersection which recorded the traffic crash,” the police department’s statement said. “Based on the evidence obtained in the ongoing investigation, it has been determined the vehicle driven by Venus Williams lawfully entered the intersection on a circular green traffic signal, and attempted to travel north through the intersection to BallenIsles Drive. As Williams was traveling through the intersection, a Nissan Altima entered the intersection traveling south, and made a left turn in front of Williams’ vehicle, causing her to stop advancing through the intersection to avoid a collision.”
After Williams waited for the Altima to pass, according to police, she proceeded north through the intersection. At the same time, a vehicle driven by Barson’s wife Linda entered the intersection heading westbound and collided with Williams’ car. Barson was taken to the hospital and died of his injuries on June 22.
When asked about the crash during a post-match press conference at the Wimbledon Monday, Williams got emotional, saying she was “completely speechless” before leaving the media room.
An auto negligence lawsuit was filed by the Barson’s estate against Williams, seeking unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
The 37-year-old Grand Slam champion is currently in London playing at Wimbledon, where she is the oldest woman to reach the fourth round since Martina Navratilova.