Venus Williams investigated over fatal car crash in Florida

By Philip Whiteside, Sky News reporter

Image: Venus Williams has offered her "deepest condolences"

Venus Williams is being investigated amid claims she was involved in a car crash which led to the death of a driver.

Palm Beach Gardens police in Florida released a report on Thursday night saying the American tennis star was at fault in the crash on June 9.

Jerome Barson, a 79-year-old who was a passenger in his wife's car, was injured and died two weeks later.

The police report says witnesses have claimed Williams ran a red light at a junction and went into the path of the vehicle driven by Mr Barson's wife.

Williams, preparing to compete at Wimbledon next week, was driving her 2010 Toyota Sequoia SUV at the time.

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The police department's Major Paul Rogers said the crash remains under investigation and Williams has not been cited or charged.

Image: Venus Williams is building up for the start of Wimbledon

Her lawyer Malcolm Cunningham said in a statement that Williams expressed "her deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one".

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He added that the light was green when she entered the junction.

Mr Cunningham told the TMZ website: "The police report estimates that Ms Williams was travelling at 5mph when Mrs Barson crashed into her.

"Authorities did not issue Ms Williams with any citations or traffic violations.

"This is an unfortunate accident and Venus expresses her deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one."

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