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Venus Williams breaks down during Wimbledon press conference

Venus Williams of the United States returns to Belgium’s Elise Mertens during their Women’s Singles Match on day one at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London Monday, July 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
Venus Williams of the United States returns to Belgium’s Elise Mertens during their Women’s Singles Match on day one at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London Monday, July 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
By Juliakate E Culpepper
July 5, 2017

Venus Williams broke down during her Wimbledon press conference on Monday after being asked a question about her involvement in a fatal car accident on June 9.

Witnesses of the accident in Palm Beach Gardens said Williams ran a red light and struck the car of Jerome and Lisa Barson, according to Palm Beach Gardens police. The 78-year-old Jerome was injured in the accident and died two weeks later on June 22 reportedly from injuries sustained in the crash.

Williams said she was “speechless” regarding the devastation of the accident before she left the press conference. Media was advised to not ask any further questions regarding the accident.

Williams, 37, won her first matchup at Wimbledon against Elise Mertens of Belgium on Monday.

Williams’ next match at Wimbledon will be played at 11 a.m. on Wednesday against China’s Qiang Wang.

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Juliakate E Culpepper
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