Venus Williams Gives Deposition In Fatal Car Accident

Venus Williams visited her lawyer’s office Thursday, Nov. 9 to sit for a deposition in the fatal car accident she had in June. The 7-time Grand Slam winner was photographed walking into Malcolm Cunningham’s West Palm Beach, Fla., office space. There, she’ll give sworn evidence on the case that led to a wrongful death lawsuit, ABC News reported.

After the deposition, TMZ reported the case could move to trial.

Linda and Jerome Barson’s daughter filed the suit against the tennis pro after Williams’ SUV and the Barson’ car, which Linda, 68, drove, collided. The Barsons’ were hospitalized and Jerome Barson, 78, died of organ failure two weeks later.

The accident occurred as Williams was exiting her gated Palm Beach Gardens community June 9. The athlete entered an intersection when the light turned green. As she turned left, Williams stopped her Toyota Sequoia to allow another car through. When Williams continues straight, the Barson’s Hyundai Accent struck the right side of her SUV.


Other News About Venus Williams’ Fatal Car Collision

Fla. Cop In New Body Cam Video Isn’t Sure Who’s to Blame for Venus Williams Crash

Victim’s Attorney In Venus Williams’ Wrongful Death Suit Says Tennis Champ Accelerated Through Intersection After Light Changed

Police: Venus Williams Legally Entered Intersection Before Crash, New Video Confirms Claim


Barson family attorney Michael Steinger said surveillance video showed Williams caused the crash by “violating the Barsons’ right of way.” However, after police initially said Williams was believed to be “at fault” for the collision, they said Williams legally entered the intersection. Body cam footage of the scene later showed a cop admitting he was unsure of who was to blame.

Williams hasn’t commented on the matter except for when asked about it at a post-match press conference at Wimbledon.

“There are really no words to describe, like, how devastating and — yeah,” Williams said. “I’m completely speechless. It’s just — yeah, I mean, I’m just …”

She also issued a statement on Facebook offering her thoughts and prayers to the Barsons and said she was “devasted and heartbroken by this accident.”

Williams is not alone in being involved in fatal car collisions. Singer Brandy reached an undisclosed settlement in the 2006 crash that killed a mother of two. Former Olympian and reality star Caitlyn Jenner was involved in a  2015 multi-car crash that killed a 70-year-old woman. Jenner wasn’t charged in the crash but the woman’s children sued her for wrongful death.

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