Who killed Treat Williams? SUV driver involved in actor's fatal collision cited for gross negligence
WILLIAMSON, NEW YORK: The driver who caused the collision that killed Treat Williams in June received a citation for "grossly negligent operation with death" on Tuesday as Vermont police released the cause of the 'Everwood' actor's demise.
The collision occurred on June 12, 2023, on Vermont Route 30 just north of Morse Hill Road. According to police, the SUV driver Ryan Koss turned left into a parking lot and into Williams' motorcycle's path. Williams was unable to avoid the collision.
Who is Ryan Koss?
Koss is a 35-year-old employee of Dorset Playhouse Theater. According to reports, Koss and Williams likely knew each other as the latter performed in a 2017 run of 'American Buffalo' at the playhouse.
Vermont State Police said in the report that Williams was unable to avoid the collision and was thrown from his motorcycle. He was airlifted to Albany Medical Center in New York while donning a helmet but couldn't be saved. According to the Vermont State Police, the actor's cause of death was determined by the New York Medical Examiner to be severe trauma and blood loss as a result of the collision.
Arraignment set for September 25
On Tuesday, Koss, of Dorset, was issued a citation at the request of Vermont State Police, according to Erica Marthage, the state's attorney for Bennington County. After being contacted by police, Koss agreed to meet with officers at the Shaftsbury Barracks, where he was booked on the charge, documented, and released. The arraignment for Koss, who was not hurt in the collision, is set for September 25, as reported by New York Post.
Williams first gained fame for his portrayal of George Berger in the 1979 movie 'Hair', which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. In addition, he was nominated for two SAG Awards for his portrayal of Dr Andrew Brown in the WB television series 'Everwood'.
'Treat was full of love'
The accident has left his family "shocked and greatly bereaved," they said in a statement after his death was confirmed. "Treat was full of love for his family, for his life and for his craft, and was truly at the top of his game in all of it," they added, as reported by DailyBeast. "It is all so shocking right now, but please know that Treat was dearly and deeply loved and respected by his family and everyone who knew him."