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Tennis star Venus Williams is being sued by the estate of a Florida man who died after a car crash that police say she caused.
Key points:
- Crash left a man who later died with a fractured spine and internal injuries
- Williams says light was green but she was stopped midpoint by traffic
- Attorney says there may be video of crash but police and neighbourhood association have refused to confirm
An attorney representing the family of Jerome Barson, 78, filed the lawsuit in Palm Beach County Circuit Court, seeking unspecified damages.
The lawsuit came one day after Palm Beach Gardens police released a report saying Williams caused the June 9 crash that left Mr Barson with a fractured spine and numerous internal injuries. He died on June 22.
Attorney Michael Steinger accused Williams, 37, of running a red light, failing to yield the right of way, inattentive driving and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
He said Mr Barson, a retired teacher who had moved to South Florida from Philadelphia in 1975, had been in good health and preparing to go on a Disney cruise with his wife of 33 years, Linda, three children, and 13 grandchildren.
He said Ms Barson, who suffered several fractures to her right arm and hand in the crash, was "physically and emotionally devastated".
"This was the love of her life that she spent every day with. They did everything together," Mr Steinger said.
Williams' attorney, Malcolm Cunningham, did not immediately respond to an email and the Palm Beach Post quoted him as saying only that he was aware of the lawsuit.
Williams has not been cited or charged and police say she was not drunk, on drugs, or texting, but that she drove into the Barsons' path.
Investigators say witnesses and Ms Barson, who was driving, told them Williams' car crossed in front of the Barsons' after the couple's light turned green.
The Barsons' car smashed into the side of Williams'.
Williams' involvement slows police investigation
Williams, who owns a home near the crash site, told investigators her light was green when she entered the six-lane intersection but she got stopped midpoint by traffic and did not see the Barsons' car before she crossed their lane.
Mr Steinger said he believed there may be video of the crash captured by surveillance cameras at the guard houses protecting Williams' neighbourhood.
He said police and the neighbourhood association had refused to confirm whether the video exists.
Palm Beach Gardens police's Major Paul Rogers said the investigation was ongoing and by law he could not release further information.
Mr Steinger said he accepted that Williams' involvement in the crash had made the police investigation slower than it might have been.
"They are trying to do the best job they can and make sure they have everything covered before they release the information and make a determination" as to whether charges should be brought, he said.
Williams is now in England preparing to play in Wimbledon, a tournament that accounts for five of her career seven grand slam tournament wins. She is seeded 10th.
Her younger sister, Serena Williams, the world's fourth-ranked women's player, is sitting out the tournament as she is pregnant with her first child.
Venus Williams has career on-court earnings of more than $34 million and her own clothing line, EleVen, and several endorsement deals.
AP
Topics: tennis, sport, road, united-states
First posted