Venus Williams was reduced to tears as she was quizzed about a fatal car crash she was involved in, which left one man dead. The tennis champion was speaking to reporters at a Wimbledon press conference when she was asked if she had any further comments to make about the accident. Clearly overcome with emotion, Venus, 37, said: "There are really no words to describe how devastating… I'm completely speechless and it's just… Yeah, I mean, I'm just…"
Pausing, she then began crying and wiped tears from her face, while avoiding eye contact with the room full of reporters. "Before we take any further questions for Venus, please be aware she's unable to say anything more about this, so I'd ask you to respect her wishes, please," said her representative who was seated next to her.
"Do you want to take a minute outside?" he asked her. "Maybe I should go," Venus said, breaking down and taking a few minutes outside before she returned to the room to answer questions only related to her recent win against Belgium's Elise Mertens.
In June, Venus was involved in a Florida car crash that resulted in the death of 78-year-old man Jerome Barson. Mr Barson suffered fatal injuries and consequently died in hospital two weeks later on his wife Linda's 68th birthday. Venus, who was driving at around 5mph at the time of the accident, is facing a wrongful death lawsuit from the family. According to a police report, she was "at fault for violating the right of way" of the Barsons' car.
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A few days ago, Venus took to Facebook to write: "I am devastated and heartbroken by this accident. My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Jerome Barson and I continue to keep them in my thoughts and prayers."