Venus Williams was driving 'lawfully' before fatal car crash, police say

Police say that the tennis star entered the crossroads while lights were green

Williams had previously written that she was 'heartbroken' over the crash (Getty)

Venus Williams drove her vehicle into a crossroads legally moments before she was involved in a fatal car crash, police have said.

Detectives in Florida released footage of the collision between a married couple and the tennis star, who was brought to tears at Wimbledon when she discussed the impact, on Friday.

Mayor Paul Rogers said the surveillance footage shows Williams lawfully entered the intersection at a green light in her Toyota Sequoia near her home in Palm Beach Gardens at around 1pm on 9 June.

But another car turned in front of Williams causing her to stop to avoid a collision before she legally continued, he added.

At this point a Hyundai being driven by Linda Barson, which was approaching a red light to Williams' right, continued when the signal turned green.

Her car smashed head-on into the front-right of Williams' vehicle, the officer said.

Ms Barson, 68, and here 78-year-old husband Jerome were both injured and he died in hospital two weeks later on 22 June.

Williams, 37, was not hurt and she was not charged with an offence. Investigators initially said she was at fault, but the video footage caused them to rescind that conclusion, and no blame has yet been determined.

The Palm Beach Gardens Police Department said the investigation remains under way after inspecting the video evidence.

Mr Barson's family launched a lawsuit against Williams, claiming she was "driving carelessly and recklessly".

The five-time Wimbledon champion progressed to the fourth round of the tournament on Friday with a victory over Japan's Naomi Osaka.

Press Association