Venus Williams found at fault in fatal car crash, sources say
Venus Williams involved in fatal Palm Beach Gardens crash
- John Pacenti
- Daphne Duret
- Conner Mitchell Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
A tragic crossing of tennis professionals – one world famous, the other unknown – cost a 78-year-old man his life while casting a pall on superstar Venus Williams as she readies for the world`s preeminent tennis event at Wimbledon.
It took three weeks for the news to bubble out on the gossip website TMZ, but Williams` crash on June nine in front of the BallenIsles Country Club skidded into the public domain on Thursday. A Palm Beach Gardens police report found Williams to be at fault for «violating» the right of way.
Williams told police she was leaving the Steeplechase community instantly south of BallenIsles and crossing Northlake Boulevard when traffic coerced her to stop while blocking a lane outside BallenIsles.
That`s when Esther Linda Barson, 68, of The Acreage, who told police she had a green light, T-boned Williams` vehicle. Her hubby, Jerome Barson, was in the passenger seat. He suffered head injuries and was rushed to St. Mary`s Medical Center, where he died on June twenty two – his wifey`s bday.
Linda Barson, who suffered violated bones and other injuries, told police she was westbound on Northlake. She slowed for a crimson light but proceeded when the light turned green.
«The driver of V2 (Barson) advised she proceeded thru the intersection when V1 (Williams) cut across in front of V2, and V2 was incapable to avoid crashing into V1,» the police report said.
A witness told police that after the light switched to green, Williams` two thousand ten Toyota Sequoia crossed the westbound lanes of Northlake in front of Barson`s two thousand sixteen Hyundai Accent.
Jerome Barson`s death certificate listed his occupation as a tennis professional. Neither his family nor their attorney, however, could be reached Thursday to expand on the listing.
Police say there was no evidence Williams was under the influence of drugs or alcohol or that she was dissipated by an electronic device.
Attorney F. Malcolm Cunningham Jr., indicating Williams, released a statement that the tennis starlet did not get cited for the accident.
«The police report estimated that Ms. Williams was traveling at five miles per hour when Mrs. Barson crashed into her,» he said. «This is an unfortunate accident and Venus voices her deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one.»
The Barson family referred questions to attorney Michael Steinger, whose stiff did not instantaneously react.
According to court records, the family already may be planning a lawsuit. In a petition on behalf of Barson`s estate filed Tuesday, the only asset listed for Barson is «the expectation of recovery in an act for wrongful death.» It did not list an amount.
Records indicate the Barsons appeared to run a business that booked cruises.
The news again put a Palm Beach County sports icon in the spotlight. Professional golfer Tiger Forest was arrested on a DUI charge on May twenty nine after Jupiter police say they found the golfing legend asleep behind the wheel of his Mercedes-Benz on Military Trail. Forest admitted to taking prescription drugs.
The 37-year-old Williams is seeded 10th in her effort to win a sixth Wimbledon title, and is considered a dearest in a tournament missing her little sister, Serena, who`s on maternity leave. The tournament embarks Monday.
Both Williams have lived and played tennis in BallenIsles for almost two decades after Venus bought a vacant lot there in 1999.
In May 2000, the Palm Beach Gardens City Council approved a gate within a gate for the 75-home community where the Williams` built their home. A gate also controls access to the entire Two,000-home BallenIsles development inbetween PGA Boulevard and Northlake east of Florida`s Turnpike.
Venus Williams is tied for 12th-most grand tuck titles with seven, winning Wimbledon five times from two thousand to 2008. She won the U.S. Open in two thousand and 2001, and has four Olympic gold medals – one in singles at the two thousand games, and three in doubles with Serena in 2000, two thousand eight and 2012. Serena and Venus have fourteen grand plunge titles together in doubles play.
Williams has seen a resurgence in her career in latest years after being diagnosed with Sjogren`s syndrome, an autoimmune disease, in August 2011. The diagnosis compelled her to withdraw in the middle of the U.S. Open and kept her off the tour for the rest of the year.
After the diagnosis, Williams won a tournament in Luxembourg in two thousand twelve and then a tournament in Dubai in 2015. She won three titles in 2015, one in 2016, and has consistently made the quarterfinals or better in the four grand wedge tournaments – the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
Williams was cited in two thousand thirteen for driving with a suspended license and paid a $163 fine, Palm Beach County court records demonstrate. In 2011, she was cited for failure to provide proof of insurance. She paid a $139 fine.
Barson`s wifey has been cited for speeding in Palm Beach County three times inbetween two thousand four and 2013, according to court records.
“> The home of Jerome Barson and his wifey. Barson was killed in a June nine car crash that police determined was the fault of tennis starlet Venus Williams. (Julius Whigham/The Palm Beach Post)
” /> Palm Beach Gardens resident and tennis player Venus Williams at the grand opening of the Wellington Tennis Center June 09, 2015. (Bill Ingram / Palm Beach Post)
“> Palm Beach Gardens resident and tennis player Venus Williams at the grand opening of the Wellington Tennis Center June 09, 2015. (Bill Ingram / Palm Beach Post)
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