Venus Williams

Venus Williams Claims Man Killed in Palm Beach Crash Wasn't Wearing Seat Belt

Police initially said Venus Williams caused the fatal crash. Police later said Williams "lawfully entered" the intersection

Tennis star Venus Williams says she's not at fault in a fatal Palm Beach County crash and claims the man who died wasn't wearing a seat belt at the time of the wreck, according to court documents obtained Tuesday.

Williams is being sued by the estate of 78-year-old Jerome Barson, who died less than two weeks after the June 9 crash.

The court documents filed Friday claim Barson's injuries were due to his own negligence, saying he wasn't wearing a seat belt and "failed to adequately maintain and repair the vehicle which is the subject of the complaint in a safe condition."

Police initially said Williams, 37, caused the crash, which also left Barson's wife, Linda, injured. Police later said Williams "lawfully entered" the intersection.

Williams hasn't been cited or charged. Attorneys for Barson's estate filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the tennis star, seeking damages in excess of $15,000.

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