Venus Williams is claiming that she should not be held fully responsible for the fatal car crash that killed Jerome Barson, 78, citing seat belts and car issues as well as “third parties.”
New court documents, first obtained by the Daily Mail, show that Williams is claiming that injuries could have been reduced if both Barson and his wife, Linda, were buckled up.
However, Barson’s attorney, Michael Steinger, said that information collected from the car after the crash shows that both Barsons were, in fact, wearing their seatbelts.
–Venus Williams breaks down while discussing fatal car crash–
Williams also claims that the Barson’s car was not adequately maintained to be considered safe, though again, Steinger said that documentation proved otherwise and would show that the car was in perfect working order.
In the docs, Williams also claimed that Linda’s injuries were not bad enough that she could collect damages under Florida law. Linda Barson suffered a cracked sternum, a shattered right arm and a broken wrist, hand and fingers.
Williams also said that “third parties” were involved in the crash and that they should also be held accountable. Video of the crash showed that Williams was trying to drive through an intersection when a car turned in front of her, causing her to come to a stop blocking the intersection when the Barsons, who maintained that they had the right of way and could not avoid Williams, crashed into her.