Treat Williams on September 21, 2019 in New York City.Photo:Lars Niki/Getty
Lars Niki/Getty
The Vermont driver who crashed into and killed Treat Williams pleaded guilty to negligent driving on Friday, reports theAssociated Press,CNN, andThe Hollywood Reporter.
Ryan Koss, 35, received a one-year deferred sentence and will be on probation. Additionally, his license will be revoked for a year, and he is required to attend a community restorative justice program on the misdemeanor charge, per the Associated Press.
In September, Koss initially pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of gross negligent operation with death resulting. If Koss was convicted of the first charge, he could have faced up to 15 years in prison, per theBennington Banner.
Treat Williams on October 17, 2019 in Hollywood, California.Rachel Luna/Getty
Rachel Luna/Getty
After the accident, Koss—who knew Williams beforehand from the town community —called Williams’ wife,Pam Van Sant, and told her what had happened, reports the Associated Press.
“I’m here to apologize and take responsibility for this tragic accident,” Koss said as recounted the accident in the Friday hearing, per the Associated Press. He also offered condolences and apologized to the late actor’s family and fans.
Treat Williams on March 23, 2017 in New York City.Walter McBride/Getty Images
Walter McBride/Getty Images
“I do forgive you, and I hope that you forgive yourself,” Williams’ son Gill told Koss. “I really wish you hadn’t killed my father. I really had to say that.” Gill, 32, also said the Williams family did not want Koss to go to prison or to press charges against him.
While Gill appeared at the hearing, his mother and sister, Ellie, did not appear in court on Friday. Both women wrote their separate statements, which were read out loud during the hearing.
Ellie, 25, said she can’t forgive Koss right now, but she hopes she can in the future. “I will never get to feel my father’s hug again; be able to get his advice again, introduce him to my future husband, have him walk me down the aisle, introduce him to my babies, and have him cry when I name my first son after him,” read her statement, per the Associated Press.
“Our lives will never be the same, our family has been torn apart and there is a huge hole that can’t possibly be filled,” Williams’ wife wrote in her statement, per the Associated Press.
Treat Williams in “Blue Bloods.".CBS
CBS
On June 12, 2023, PEOPLE confirmed with Williams' agent Barry McPherson, that the formerEverwoodactordieddue to the motorcycle accident. He was 71.
“He was killed this afternoon. He was making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off,” McPherson told PEOPLE. “I’m just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented.”
He died of “severe trauma and blood loss,” the Vermont State Police confirmed that the Medical Examiner’s Office in New York determined in Augst.
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Williams is best known for playing Dr. Andrew Brown onEverwoodfrom 2002 to 2006. He had more than 120 acting credits, one of which wasHairwhich scoredhim his first Golden Globe nomination. He also starred inSteven Spielberg’s1941,Heart of Dixie,Blue Bloods,Chicago Fire, and several Hallmark films.
source: people.com
