Venus Williams blamed for fatal crash in Florida
Venus Williams has expressed her "deepest condolences" after a 78-year-old US man died two weeks after a car accident for which the tennis star is being blamed.
While Williams' lawyer has said in a statement that his client was not issued any "citations or traffic violations" at the time, the police report obtained by TMZ says Williams was "at fault for violating the right of way of [the other driver]".
Police spokesman Major Paul Rogers said the investigation into the June 9 crash is ongoing.
Williams, 37, was not impaired or distracted at the time of the accident, according to the police report obtained by TMZ.
Jerome Barson was a passenger in a car that struck Williams' 4WD, which was blocking an intersection in Palm Beach Gardens in Florida, according to the publication.
Mr Barson suffered head trauma and spent the next two weeks in ICU before succumbing to his injuries.
His wife, 68-year-old Linda Branston, was driving the vehicle and had some broken bones and other injuries, her lawyer told TMZ.
TMZ says it obtained the police report, which has contradictory statements from both parties.
Williams claims her SUV was in the intersection after traffic in front of her had slowed to a halt.
Mr Barson's wife says Williams suddenly darted into the intersection and there was no time for her to stop.
Williams' lawyer Malcolm Cunningham said in a statement to CNN that his client "entered the intersection on a green light".
Cunningham stated Williams was travelling at less than 10km/h by police estimates "when Mrs Branson crashed into her".
"Authorities did not issue Ms Williams with citations or traffic violations.
"This is an unfortunate accident and Venus expressed her deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one," the statement said.
She is seeded 10th for Wimbledon, which begins Monday in London.
The British grand slam is expected to be give of Williams her best shots at taking a title in a decade.
The crash from earlier this month is not Williams' first spot of trouble behind the wheel.
In September 2009, she was topped and fined for not having proof of her driver's insurance with her while driving her brand new Mercedes Benz.
Williams was issued a $116 fine, which was increased to $139 two months later due to late payment.
In July 2013, Williams was involved in a crash in Palm Beach, Florida, and later lost her licence for again failing to pay fines.
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