Police Rescind Conclusion That Venus Williams Was At Fault In Fatal Crash

The Palm Beach Gardens Police Department has reviewed surveillance video of the fatal June 9 accident in which Venus Williams was found to be at fault, and released a statement indicating that their initial findings were incorrect. From the statement:

After the initial investigation was conducted, new evidence into the incident was located. Video surveillance footage was obtained from a community south of the intersection which recorded the traffic crash. 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 William’s vehicle, causing her to stop advancing through the intersection to avoid a collision. After the Nissan had proceeded past Williams, Williams then started to proceed north through the intersection in accordance with F.S.S. 316.075 (1)(a)1. The vehicle driven by Linda Barson was traveling west on Northlake Blvd, in the outside lane, approaching a steady red traffic signal. The traffic signal then cycled to green, at which time Barson continued westbound and entered the intersection. The front end of Barson’s vehicle collided with the right front of William’s vehicle. This updated information, based upon new evidence, is still under investigation.

Here’s that surveillance video:

Williams is being sued for wrongful death by the estate of Jerome Barson, the passenger in the westbound vehicle, who died from injuries sustained in the collision. The attorney representing the Barson family maintains that the accident was Williams’s fault:

“There is nothing that disputes Ms. Williams’ was in the intersection on a red light, and the witnesses clearly confirm the Barsons had a green light and lawfully entered the intersection,” Steinger said in a statement.

Williams’s attorney released a statement saying that because Williams entered the intersection lawfully, other vehicles “were obligated to yield the right-of-way.”