Tennis player Venus Williams has broken down in tears at a press conference at Wimbledon after she was asked about a fatal car crash in Florida.
The fatal collision in Palm Beach Gardens on June 9, involved Williams, 78-year-old Jerome Barson and his 68-year-old wife, Linda Barson.
According to The Guardian, Mr Barson spent two weeks in hospital following the crash and later died from his injuries.
Asked about the fatal collision the world No 1 tennis player was left speechless, and then in tears.
She begun: “There are really no words to describe, like, how devastating and …” before pausing, unable to answer the questions, Time reports.
“Yeah, I’m completely speechless,” she continued.
“It’s just …”
“Yeah, I mean, I’m just …”
The tennis player then exited the room to take a moment to recover.
Williams shared an emotional tribute to the victims and their family on Facebook after the incident.
“I am devasted (sic) 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,” she wrote.
According to the Herald Sun, Barson’s family has filed a lawsuit against Williams that alleges negligence.
Linda Barson told investigators she was approaching the intersection when her light turned green and she was unable to stop in time and crashed into the side of Williams’ SUV.
Ms Barson suffered unspecified moderate injuries, and 37-year-old Williams was not hurt.
Williams told investigators she had entered the six-lane intersection on a green light but had been forced to stop midway by traffic ahead of her. She said she did not see the Barsons’ car when she crossed into their lanes.
Williams’ attorney, Malcolm Cunningham, said in a statement Williams expressed “her deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one”.
The report also said she was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
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