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Actor Treat Williams attends the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Metrograph special screening of Hair at Metrograph on September 21, 2019 in New York City.
cnn
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TO vermont man accused of killing the actor treat williams in a car crash in 2023 will plead guilty Friday to a reduced charge of negligent driving resulting in death and avoid prison time.
Koss’ sentence will be deferred for one year, Judge Kerry Ann McDonald-Cady said, and his driver’s license will be suspended during that time. She will also be required to receive mental health counseling and a restorative justice program.
If you do not comply with those conditions, the judge could impose a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a fine of $3,000.
CNN has contacted Ian Carleton, Koss’s attorney, for comment.
In June 2023, Ryan Koss was driving a Honda Element SUV that entered the path of Williams’ motorcycle on Vermont Route 30 in Dorset, police previously said.
The 71-year-old actor was thrown from the motorcycle and suffered serious injuries. He was flown to Albany Medical Center in New York, where he was pronounced dead, authorities previously said.
More than a month after the crash, Koss was issued a citation for “grossly negligent operation resulting in death” at the request of the Bennington County State’s Attorney’s Office, Vermont State Police said last year.
Williams’ son Gill spoke in court Friday and shared how difficult it has been for his family since his father’s death, noting that he was writing a movie for his father, a movie they planned to make together.
“That was my story and it’s not my story anymore,” Gill Williams said.
He also addressed the anger he felt and what he thought he might say in court today.
“I’ve spent months going over in my head all the things I could say that would be hurtful and I don’t want to do that,” Gill Williams said.
“I know that for me, for me to heal, and for my family to heal, for me to move forward, I have to become a new person because you hit me that day and that day you killed me in some way,” he added.
“That was a different person because the person who now has to deal with the loss of my father, who was an extraordinary person, truly an extraordinary human being who had so much life left to live and so many incredible things to do, is a different person. different. burden that I do not know how to face, without becoming a new person.”
Part of being that new person, Gill Williams said, is forgiving Koss.
He said he felt he had to go to court “and just say I forgive you and I hope you forgive yourself. And I don’t want you to go to prison – we don’t press charges – it’s very difficult to deal with the fact that there are no real repercussions, you know, I’m not sorry – but what would it be? You know, nothing is going to bring my dad back.”
The “Deep Rising” actor’s son also acknowledged that Koss did not intend to cause the accident.
“You just weren’t looking and you were negligent and incompetent that day and that’s the extent of my anger with this, because I know you didn’t mean to do it,” he said.
“I can only begin with my sincere apologies and condolences to the Williams family and also to Mr. Williams’ loved ones, his fans and our community, who appreciated him,” Koss said, standing and addressing the court with trembling voice. after comments from Gill Williams.
“I am here to acknowledge that this accident occurred because I turned left in front of an oncoming motorcycle and it collided with my car and it was my responsibility to prevent that from happening, and for that I am very sorry.”
Koss also addressed Treat Williams’ wife Pam, son Gill and daughter Ellie.
“And I hope this moment can bring some resolution to anyone who has been affected by this tragedy, especially Pam Gill and Ellie. I’m so sorry.”
Treat Williams was known for several film roles, including the 1979 musical “Hair,” as well as the television dramas “Blue Bloods” and “Everwood.” His last role was in the final season of Ryan Murphy’s period piece “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans,” which is currently airing.
CNN’s Anastasios Stefanidis, Nic F. Anderson and Dan Heching contributed to this story.