The Vermont driver who struck and killed Treat Williams pleaded guilty to reckless driving on Friday, according to the Associated Press, CNN and The Hollywood Reporter.
Ryan Koss, 35, received a one-year deferred sentence and will be on probation. In addition, his license will be suspended for a year and he will be required to attend a community restorative justice program for the misdemeanor charge, the Associated Press reports.
In September, Koss initially pleaded not guilty to felony gross negligence causing death. If convicted of the first charge, Koss could face up to 15 years in prison, according to Bennington flag.
Honor Williams on October 17, 2019 in Hollywood, California.
Rachel Luna/Getty
On June 12, 2023, a car driven by Koss collided with Williams’ motorcycle. Investigators believe Koss did not see the actor on the motorcycle.
After the crash, Koss — who knew Williams from a previous township — called Williams’ wife, Pam Van Sant, and told her what had happened, the Associated Press reported.
“I’m here to apologize and take responsibility for this tragic accident,” Koss said in recounting the crash at the hearing Friday, according to the Associated Press. He also expressed his condolences and apologized to the family and fans of the late actor.
“And I hope this moment can bring some resolution to everyone affected by this tragedy, especially Pam, Gill and Ellie, I’m so sorry,” Koss said, according to CNN.
Treat Williams, star of ‘Everwood’ and ‘Hair’, dies at 71 after motorcycle accident
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Treat Williams on March 23, 2017 in New York City.
Walter McBride/Getty Images
“I forgive you and I hope 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 jail or face charges.
While Gill appeared at the hearing, his mother and sister Ellie did not appear in court on Friday. Both women wrote separate statements that were read aloud during the hearing.
Ellie, 25, said she can’t forgive Koss right now, but hopes she can in the future. “I will never feel my father’s embrace again; to 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 make him cry when I name my first son after him,” her statement read, according to the Associated Press.
“Our lives will never be the same again, our family is torn apart and there is a huge hole that can never be filled,” Williams’ wife wrote in a statement to The Associated Press.
Treat Williams’ cause of death determined nearly 2 months after fatal motorcycle accident
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Cheer Williams in “Blue Bloods.”
CBS
On June 12, 2023, PEOPLE confirmed with Williams’ agent Barry McPherson that the former Everwood the actor died in a motorcycle accident. He was 71 years old.
“He was killed this afternoon, he was turning left or 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,” Vermont State Police confirmed, as determined by the New York Medical Examiner’s Office in August.
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Williams is best known for his role as Dr. Andrew Brown Everwood from 2002 to 2006. He performed more than 120 acting roles, one of which is Hair which earned him his first Golden Globe nomination. He also starred in Steven Spielberg’s film in 1941, Heart of Dixie, Blue Bloods, Chicago Fireand several Hallmark movies.
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