Venus Williams advanced out of the first round at Wimbledon Tennis Tournament in London, England on Monday. It was her first time returning to playing tennis after she caused a car accident that took the life of a 78-year-old man in America.
Williams, 37, broke down in tears when a reporter asked her to comment on the fatal accident in a post-match interview.
“There are really no words to describe, like, how devastating… I’m completely speechless… Maybe I should go,” she said before leaving the interview room.
SEE ALSO: Family of man killed in car accident files lawsuit against Venus Williams
Jerome Barson was a passenger in a car driven by his wife, Ester Linda Barson, 68, when Williams rolled through a red light and Linda Barson couldn’t avoid hitting her car. Mr. Barson died on June 22 in an intensive care unit.
Linda Barson filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the tennis superstar last week.
The accident happened near Williams’ gated home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on June 9.
The police report blamed Williams for violating the elderly driver’s right of way. Williams wasn’t cited or charged in the accident.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
