Bennington, Vermont – A Vermont man, Ryan Koss, has recently pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in connection with a fatal crash that took the life of beloved actor Treat Williams. The tragic incident occurred on June 12, 2023, resulting in the death of Williams, who was 71 years old at the time.
Koss, 35, admitted to negligent driving with death resulting during the court proceedings. As a result, he received a one-year deferred sentence, along with a one-year revocation of his driving license. Additionally, he is required to participate in a community restorative justice program related to the misdemeanor charge.
The fatal collision occurred when Koss, who knew Williams personally, was making a left turn into a parking lot in his Honda SUV. Tragically, he failed to see Williams approaching on his motorcycle, leading to the devastating crash. Despite wearing a helmet, Williams suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to Albany Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Following the tragic accident, Koss immediately contacted Williams’ wife to inform her of the heartbreaking news. Bennington County State’s Attorney Erica Marthage acknowledged Koss for taking responsibility for his actions from the outset of the investigation.
During the court hearing, Koss expressed his deep regret and extended his condolences to Williams’ family and fans. Williams’ son, Gill, who had interacted with Koss before the crash, conveyed forgiveness towards him, expressing the sentiment that he hopes Koss forgives himself as well.
Reflecting on the impact of his father’s loss, Gill described Williams as an essential figure in their family and highlighted the difficulty of moving forward without him. Williams had even gifted Gill the motorcycle the day before the tragic accident, emphasizing the profound impact of his sudden passing.
Pam Williams, in her statement, acknowledged the accident as a profound tragedy and expressed hope for Koss’s ability to find forgiveness within himself. The Williams family continues to mourn the devastating loss and struggle to fill the void left by Treat Williams’ absence.
Originally facing a felony charge of gross negligent operation with death resulting, Koss opted to plead guilty to the reduced charge of negligent driving. The decision spared him a potential 15-year prison sentence had he been convicted of the initial felony charge.
Prior to the fatal accident, Williams had been honored by his TV show, Blue Bloods, as a tribute to his nearly 50-year career in over 120 TV and film roles. His passing has left a significant void in the entertainment industry, with fans and colleagues alike mourning the loss of a talented and beloved actor.