Tennis star Venus Williams has been accused of causing a car accident that cost a 78-year-old his life.

Jerome Barson suffered head trauma and was taken to a hospital after the crash in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on 9 June (17). He died 14 days later, according to a police report obtained by TMZ Sports.

His wife was driving the car which collided with Williams' SUV, and she's blaming the athlete for the crash - and the cops agree.

According to the police report, Venus was "at fault for violating the right of way of (the other driver)."

Cops insist there was no evidence Venus was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or that she was distracted by an electronic device.

Venus told authorities she was trying to make it through the intersection, but there was a traffic back-up and she had to slow down to a crawl, with her car exposed in the intersection.

Barson's wife was also taken to the hospital with broken bones and other injuries.

Venus has yet to comment on the drama.