New footage shows Venus Williams not at fault in fatal car crash

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

After new footage emerged of the June 9 fatal car crash that Venus Williams was involved in, police have changed their tune about whether or not she was at fault. They now say she was driving lawfully at the time of the accident.

The police statement says that they located “surveillance footage … obtained from a community south of the intersection which recorded the traffic crash.”

The Associated Press describes what police found as follows:

“Williams legally entered an intersection but was cut off by another car, setting off a chain of events that seconds later resulted in a fatal crash with a third car, police say video released Friday shows.

“The video, taken by a security camera, shows Williams heading north as she stops her 2010 Toyota Sequoia SUV at a stoplight behind a white car as she exits her Palm Beach Gardens neighborhood shortly after 1 p.m. June 9.

—  Venus Williams breaks down while discussing fatal car crash — 

“When the light turns green, the white car turns left onto a six-lane, heavily traveled boulevard, but Williams heads straight. A dark colored sedan turns left in front of her, causing her to stop.

“She then continues straight into the far, westbound lanes, where her SUV is struck in the passenger’s side by a 2016 Hyundai sedan driven by Linda Barson.”

Barson’s husband Jerome, 78, was hurt in the accident and died two weeks later in the hospital.

His estate has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Williams and will be seeking unspecified damages.

Williams has shared her feelings on the incident, posting a June 30 Facebook comment.

“I am devasted [sic] and heartbroken by this accident. My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Jerome Barson and I continue to keep them in my thoughts and prayers.”

 

 

SHARE THIS ARTICLE