Venus Williams expresses emotional devastation over fatal accident

American tennis player Venus Williams has admitted to being "devastated" emotionally by the fatal accident in which she was involved in Florida last June, which claimed the life of a 78-year-old man.

"I am devastated and heartbroken by this accident," said the former world number one in a message posted on her Facebook account last night.

Williams sent her "sincere condolences to the family and friends" of Jerome Barson and said she had them in her "thoughts and prayers".

The veteran American tennis player posted the message on the same day that the victim's family filed a civil lawsuit for "negligence" behind the wheel, in a legal action seeking compensation for the damages caused.

According to the lawsuit, both Barson and his 68-year-old wife, Linda, suffered "severe injuries" after colliding with Williams' SUV on June 9, in Palm Beach Gardens, about 80 miles (128 kilometers) north of Miami.

Jerome remained in the Intensive Care Unit for two weeks and died on June 22, while his wife survived.

The police report on the accident states that the elder of the Williams sisters committed an infraction at a street intersection.

The former world number one was not injured in the accident, nor was she under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to the Police report, so the tennis player was released.