Venus Williams Won’t Be Charged For Fatal Florida Crash

Venus Williams was initially blamed for a fatal car accident in Florida in June, but she has now been absolved of all responsibility in the case.

Venus Williams Car Crash news

A police report, cited by the Florida Sun-Sentinel, stated 37-year-old Williams will not be charged for the June 9 collision between her SUV and a sedan.

A previous police report in July said Williams had “lawfully entered the intersection… on a green traffic signal” before the crash, which sent 78-year-old Jerome Barson to the hospital, where he died days later from injuries sustained in the accident.

Some authorities had initially believed Williams was at fault because she had run a red light, and body camera footage later revealed that the officer on the scene “told Williams he’d say she was at fault” before adding that he didn’t feel comfortable “writing a citation when I’m not a hundred percent sure, and I’m not a hundred percent sure in this case.”

Despite this, Williams was reportedly cooperative with police.

Williams has repeatedly said she is “devastated” and “heartbroken” from the incident, even breaking into tears and saying she was “speechless” during a Wimbledon press conference when asked about the crash.

Barson’s family, however, has still filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Williams, according to NPR.

Barson’s wife Linda, 68, was reportedly driving the other car involved in the crash.

Williams lost to Spanish youngster Garbine Muguruza in two sets in the Wimbledon final in July. At the Canadian Open in August, she made it to the round of 16 before falling to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina. 

Williams also lost to eventual US Open champion Sloane Stephens in the event’s semi-final in September. She is expected to compete in the 2018 Australian Open in January.

KEY BISCAYNE, FL – MARCH 29: Venus Williams his a forehand shot during a match against Angelique Kerber of Germany at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 29, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)