A Vermont driver who killed actor Treat Williams in a car crash avoided jail time after pleading guilty to a reduced charge at the request of the victim’s family.
Ryan Koss was given a one-year deferred sentence, had his driver’s license revoked for one year and must complete a community-based restorative justice program.
Koss, 35, killed Williams, 71, after he crashed into the victim’s motorbike with his SUV on a road in Dorset on June 12 last year.
“I am here to apologize and take responsibility for this tragic accident,” Koss said in an emotional hearing Friday, where he also offered his condolences to Williams’ family and fans.
“I forgive you and I hope you forgive yourself,” Williams’ son, Gill Williams, 32, said as he addressed Koss in court, telling him the family did not want to press charges or see him jailed.
The Vermont driver who killed actor Treat Williams in a car crash has avoided jail time after pleading guilty to a reduced charge at the request of the victim’s family.
Ryan Koss, pictured in court Friday, received a one-year deferred sentence, had his driver’s license revoked for one year and must complete a community-based restorative justice program.
Williams’ son, Gill Williams (center), said the family did not want to press charges or see Koss jailed. Pictured: Williams with his son and his daughter Ellie Williams in 2012.
But he also added that “I really wish you hadn’t killed my father.” I really had to say that.’
Koss, who worked as creative director of the Dorset Theater Festival in Vermont, had known Williams for years through his work and I considered him a friend.
After the crash, he called Williams’ wife to tell her what happened and took responsibility for what happened, according to county State’s Attorney Erica Marthage.
Gill Williams said her father was “everything” to her family and an extraordinary person who lived life to the fullest, and now it’s hard to know how to move forward.
“It’s very difficult for this to happen because of someone’s negligence,” he said, urging people to take driving much more seriously and be careful on motorcycles.
Statements from Williams’ wife, Pam, and daughter, who did not attend the court hearing, were read aloud.
Pam Williams said in her statement that it was a tragic accident and that she hopes Koss can forgive himself.
Williams was traveling on Route 30 in Dorset, Vermont, when an oncoming SUV cut him off as he turned left into the parking lot of an auto shop; seen in 2012
The 35-year-old originally pleaded not guilty to a felony count of grossly negligent operation resulting in death.
Her daughter Ellie Williams wrote in her statement that she was too angry and hurt right now to forgive Koss, but hopes to be able to do so in the future.
“Our lives will never be the same, our family has been torn apart and there is a huge void that cannot be filled,” Pam Williams wrote in her statement.
Her daughter Ellie Williams wrote in her statement that she was too angry and hurt right now to forgive Koss, but hopes she will in the future.
‘I will never feel my father’s embrace again; “I’ll be able to get your advice again, introduce you to my future husband, have you walk me down the aisle, introduce you to my babies, and have you cry when I name my first child after you,” one victim advocate said when reading it. statement.
A witness told DailyMail.com that Koss collided with the motorcycle, sending Williams flying off his bike.
The television star, who was wearing a helmet, was left lying on the sidewalk, a few meters from his motorcycle.
Reports released by Vermont State Police revealed that Williams didn’t stand a chance when Koss’ Honda crossed the northbound lane of V-30 toward his 1986 Honda VT700c motorcycle around 4:53 p.m.
The police report states that “Williams was unable to avoid a collision and was ejected from his motorcycle.” It was also confirmed that Koss was not intoxicated.
“I forgive you and I hope you forgive yourself,” Williams’ son, Gill Williams, told Koss, but also added, “I really wish you hadn’t killed my father.”
Pam Van Sant, Williams’ heartbroken widow, broke her silence about his untimely death last year; the couple seen in 2016
The Golden Globe-nominated actor was rushed to hospital with critical injuries before being pronounced dead.
Koss originally pleaded not guilty to one felony count of grossly negligent operation resulting in death. If he had been convicted of that charge, he could have been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.
Williams’ nearly 50-year career included starring roles in the television series ‘Everwood’ and the film ‘Hair.’
He appeared in more than 120 film and television roles, including the films ‘The Eagle Has Landed,’ ‘Prince of the City,’ and ‘Once Upon a Time in America.’