Venus Williams Leaves Wimbledon Press Conference in Tears Over Fatal Car Crash

Venus Williams has exited a Wimbledon press conference in tears, after being asked about her involvement in a fatal car accident that claimed the life of a 78-year-old man.

According to ABC News, the 37-year-old tennis great responded to questions about the incident by saying, “There are really no words to describe, like, how devastating and… yeah, I’m completely speechless.”

The room sat in silence for almost two minutes after she began crying. She was eventually escorted away by an official.

“Maybe I should go,” she reportedly said before leaving.

Just this weekend, the family of the deceased, Jerome Barson, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Williams over the June 9 crash. He died on June 22, having suffered a fractured spine and internal injuries.

The family’s attorney has accused Williams of running a red light, failing to yield the right of way, inattentive driving and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

Williams, however, has said her light was green when she began driving, but she got stuck in the middle of a built-up intersection. It’s alleged she crossed in front of Barson’s car when their light turned green.

 

Investigators are seeking video of the incident from the surveillance cameras situated in Williams’ neighbourhood. (She lives close to the site of the crash.)

No charges have been filed by police.

2017 marks Williams’ 20th visit to Wimbledon, and she will face off against China’s Qiang Wang on Wednesday.

“I never thought that I’d play that many, but I’m grateful to be here and to play,” she said earlier in the press conference. “I love the game.”

Photo: YouTube (Wimbledon)