Venus Williams was in a car crash as a driver earlier this month, one that ultimately led to the unfortunate death of a passenger in another vehicle. TMZ reported that the police believe that Williams was at fault. That doesn't mean that she has been found guilty of anything as such matters are determined in court. However, it certainly doesn't look good for the past champion from both Wimbledon and the US Open. TMZ reported on the updates early on Thursday with a citation of the police report that read, "(Venus) is at fault for violating the right of way of (the other driver)."
Certainly, Williams appears as though she is in for some legal drama.
However, a look back at some other celebrity car-crash deaths shows that famous people aren't always heading to jail when they are involved in car accidents that cause the death of others. Caitlyn Jenner, Matthew Broderick, and Dany Heatley are other celebrities that operated vehicles involved in car crashes that caused deaths. The aftermath for each individual varied.
Caitlyn Jenner settled after her car accident
Caitlyn Jenner's car accident is the most recent of the three just mentioned. In early 2015 she was driving on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, a city in the greater-Los Angeles area when she was involved an accident that led to the death of Kim Howe. The complicated legal events that unfolded ended up involving a financial settlement.
Matthew Broderick, a Hollywood actor best known for his work in the 1980s and the 1990s, drove on the wrong side of the road in Ireland way back in August 1987. Two people died following the ensuing head-on collision and Broderick himself was badly injured. While he faced a possible five-year prison term for his actions, ultimately he was fined just $175.
Dany Heatley's accident killed fellow NHL player
Former NHL player and current free agent Dany Heatley was involved in a car crash that caused a death when he was 22-years-old. The man that died was Heatley's friend and fellow NHL player Dan Snyder, a passenger in Heatley's vehicle. According to a New York Times article from February 5, 2005, "Various experts estimated that Heatley was driving from 55 m.p.h.
to 82 m.p.h. in a 35-m.p.h. zone when the crash occurred" (Ray Glier). That being the case, Heatley's punishment was only probation, a $3,000 fine, and he had to make 150 speeches about the dangers of speeding.
How Williams' situation will play out is not clear. While the police believe she has at least some of the blame for the accident, it does not amount to any kind of conviction. But the American tennis star certainly has a tough situation to deal with as the family and friends of the deceased mourn their loss.
