American Florida boasts beautiful nature, luxury resorts and a unique atmosphere. But the same coin also has its flip side. Florida is “proud” of roughly 3,000 road deaths per year!
And unfortunately, one of the best tennis players in the world, Venus Williams, will contribute to this number.
Traffic lights are not a guarantee of safety
The fault this time is not different parties driving, but an overly complex and busy traffic light intersection.
Williams drives her Toyota Sequoia into the intersection following the traffic light turns green… But due to the traffic jam, she ends her drive almost in the middle of the intersection when the traffic light flashes red.
At that moment, Linda Barson, a driver, crashes into her car with her Hyundai Accent, who sees Williams at the last moment and does not brake the vehicle. Williams claims she didn’t notice her car at all until the moment of the crash.
Venus Williams entered an intersection on green and stopped in it due to a traffic jam. Her car was hit by Linda Barson, who probably didn’t see her in time. Linda Barson’s passenger, Jerome Barson, suffered serious injuries and died in hospital 14 days later. Both Venus Williams and Linda Barson escaped with minor injuries. Photo: pixabay
Unnecessary death of an elderly person
And the result of the accident? Williams escapes without a single scratch, while the driver, Barson, sustains several minor fractures to her arm and shoulder.
But it will be worse for her passenger, 78-year-old Jerome Barson, who has a broken spine and numerous internal injuries. After 14 difficult days in the hospital, he succumbs to them. An investigation is underway to find out who is responsible for the accident and the resulting death.
Vigorous and swift delivery of judgment
A police report later states that a famous female athlete is responsible for the accident. At that moment, the Barson family does not hesitate, and files a lawsuit once morest her.
Their lawyer says that Williams ran a red light, failed to yield the right of way, and drove carelessly, causing not only the death of the elderly man, but also a difficult time for the survivor, Linda, who is “physically and emotionally devastated.”
But the athlete herself is at the bottom mentally. “There are no words to describe how devastating it is… No, I have no words,” she told reporters in tears.
“There are no words to describe how devastating it is… No, I have no words.” Venus Williams
Police initially blamed Venus Williams for the accident, but later changed their opinion based on security camera footage. The investigation concluded that the accident was not caused by either Venus Williams or Linda Barson, but by an unknown third driver who caused Williams to stop at the intersection. Photo: pixabay
Fortunately, the police are changing their minds
Although at first the police are uncompromising and identify the tennis player as the clear culprit, the situation gradually takes a rapid turn. After watching security camera footage from the other intersection, officers quickly revise their opinion.
This happens on July 7, when they come up with the claim that the successful athlete did not cause the accident!
The closure of the case does not occur until December 21 of that year, when the relevant authorities conclude that the accident occurred following Williams’ vehicle was inadvertently rammed by Linda Barson’s vehicle.
However, Williams entered the intersection completely legally in accordance with traffic regulations, and an unidentified third driver is responsible for the accident, which caused the tennis player to stop right in the intersection.
