Venus Williams goes on attack against elderly couple involved in fatal crash

July 26--Her attempt at her sixth Wimbledon title behind her, Venus Williams seems to have the time to fire back at accusations that she caused a car crash that left a 78-year-old man dead.

New legal documents related to a multi-million-dollar wrongful death lawsuit against Williams show she is denying allegations that she contributed to the death of Jerome Barson in a collision that occurred in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on June 9.

Instead, Williams is saying the injuries Barson and his wife Linda sustained are the result of their own negligence because they weren't wearing seat belts, according to documents obtained by the DailyMail.com.

Williams also said the couple failed to adequately maintain and repair their vehicle and is demanding that the deceased man's estate hand over various records related to his death and autopsy as well as to his health, finances and personal history.

Her attorneys want the estate to produce copies of marriage certificates, tax returns, life and health insurance policies, as well as medical records and a list of all doctors, psychiatrists or psychologists seen by the victim over the past 10 years.

Williams' response comes a day after it was learned that she had opposed the Barsons' request for her phone records.

The Barson family attorneys say security camera footage shows Williams moving her hand towards her face before the collision; they want to know if she was texting or talking on the phone while driving.

Williams opposed a notice served on T-Mobile last Thursday. A source with knowledge of the suit told the Daily Mail, "'If Venus isn't guilty and she was driving with all due care and attention then why wouldn't she hand over those records?"

Linda Barson, 68, was driving a Hyundai Accent when it T-boned Williams at an intersection in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Her husband was taken to the hospital with internal bleeding and organ damage but died two weeks later.

An initial police report said Williams was to blame for the crash because she turned left into the Barson's path and they had the legal right of way when they slammed into her. But a later police report said Williams "lawfully" entered the intersection. It didn't indicate if either party was at fault, and police are still investigating.

Williams has insisted she had a green light when she turned but couldn't get clear of the intersection because of traffic.

When asked about the accident at Wimbledon, Williams broke down in tears and said, "There are really no words to describe, like, how devastating and -- yeah. I'm completely speechless."

Venus Williams' car was headed north in the intersection of Northlake Boulevard and Ballen Isles Drive when it was T-boned by a car westbound on Northlake.

This story has been updated to include the later police report saying Williams lawfully entered the intersection.

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