Tennis ace Venus Williams has been involved in a car crash that killed an elderly man in Florida.
A police department spokesman confirmed the news of the two-car collision on June 9, and the death of Jerome Barson, 78, two weeks later.
There are conflicting reports over who was to blame for the crash. Barson was being driven by his wife Linda when they crashed into the side of the Williams’ car at an intersection.
Nine News reports witnesses told police that Williams ran a red light.
Linda Barson told police she was approaching the intersection when the light turned green and she was unable to stop in time.
TMZ first broke the news Venus was “at fault” in the incident, prompting her lawyer Malcolm Cunningham to release the following statement:
“Ms. Williams entered the intersection on a green light. The police report estimates that Ms. Williams was traveling at 5 m.p.h. 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.”
Linda Barson reportedly suffered moderate injuries in the car and Williams was not hurt.
The tennis star was in Sydney last week for a leadership conference but it’s not yet known if she’s travelled to the UK for the Wimbledon tournament, which she’s expected to compete in.
