Posted on 06/29/2017 5:05:24 PM PDT by BenLurkin
Tennis star Venus Williams caused a car crash earlier this month that led to the death of a passenger in another vehicle, according to a police report released Thursday.
Palm Beach Gardens police say witnesses told investigators that Williams ran a red light in her 2010 Toyota Sequoia SUV, causing a June 9 crash that injured 78-year-old Jerome Barson, who died two weeks later.
The report says a 2016 Hyundai Accent driven by Barson’s wife, Linda, crashed into the side of Williams’ SUV. Linda Barson told investigators that she was approaching the intersection when her light turned green and that she was unable to stop in time. Linda Barson suffered unspecified moderate injuries. Williams, who turned 37 on June 17, was not hurt.
She told investigators she had entered the six-lane intersection on a green light but had been forced to stop midpoint by traffic ahead of her. She said she did not see the Barsons’ car when she crossed into their lanes.
(Excerpt) Read more at losangeles.cbslocal.com ...
In other words, Williams was already in the intersection when the light changed.
Oooh, I smell HUGE lawsuit, undisclosed settlement, and a deferred community service.
Athlete women drivers....
Just like that Jenner woman.
Yep. Sounds like she tried to “blow through” the light.
There will be a big payout, but since there is a death will she be protected from criminal charges because she is a woman, black, and a celebrity?
Yes, it sounds like a dubious decision. Normally, the vehicle that hits something is considered at fault, since you are supposed to look where you are going and stop if there is something there.
Williams could have entered the intersection on a yellow, hoping to make a quick turn, but you don’t just go when the light turns green, you look for cars that may be cutting things a little close. That’s what defensive driving is all about.
Texting anyone?
Another good reason to make sure you can clear the intersection before you enter it - other than just blocking traffic for everyone. I can see where Venus was at fault - but was her vehicle blocked from view of the other driver? You can’t just look at the green light and say “Hey - I’m good to go!”
If I’m first at the light I always make sure that I can see the cross traffic and if they are slowing to stop. It would suck to get T-boned by some guy speeding up to go through the “yellow”.
There is simply no evidence that Williams did not enter the intersection when the her light was either green or yellow. In these sorts of cases, unless a police officer is watching you, there are never any criminal charges.
I got nothing against the woman. She’s the best woman tennis player ever.
She doesn’t say anything hateful and her father worked them to near death training them.
They came from a good work ethic and it paid off.
There’s a lot of black (and for that matter, white) stars and athletes that deserve scorn.
She’s not one of them.
Venus is apparently worth about $75M. I’d guess this accident will cost her a lot but she’ll still be fine.
The other driver’s car was racist for getting in Venus’ way, How DARE other drivers don’t already know that and let them run lights. They’re black privileged.
She’ll be protected because she has money. Good ol’ Christian values.
Back in the day, drivers in New York City who were racing through a red light used to blow their horn, which made things easier for everyone.
Sounds like you know how to drive. I always watch for guys who are not going to stop, and give them the right of way, since they’re going to take it anyway.
That’s the weirdest part about this story - she’s driving a seven year-old car!
Traffic Light Rage.
My mom years ago got rear-ended by a guy. The guy explained to the cop that it wasn’t his fault. “The light had barely turned red - I figured she was going to run the light too!”
I glad someone said something. 2010 car and worth 75,000,000.
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