US News

Driver who fatally struck actor Treat Williams avoids jail, gets probation after pleading guilty to lesser charge

The driver involved in the vehicle crash that killed ā€œEverwoodā€ actor Treat WišŸŒlliams as he rode his motorcā›„ycle in Vermont last summer pleš’ˆ”aded guilty to a reduced charge of negligent driving on Friday.

Ryan Koss, 35, received just a one-year deferred sentence and probation for the misdemeanorš’ˆ” charge. His driverā€™s license has also been revšŸŽ¶oked for one year and he must complete a community restorative justice program as part of his probation.

During the sentencing hearing on Friday, Koss, who knew WillšŸ˜¼iams and considered him a friend, became overwhelmed with emotion while apologizing to the actorā€™s friends, family and fans.

“Iā€™m here to apologize and take responsibility for this tragic accident,” Koss told the court.

Treat Williams was killed while riding his motorcycle in Vermont last summer. Getty Images
Ryan Koss, right, pleaded guilty to negligent driving involving death on Friday. AP

Koss was turning left into a parking lot in a Honda SUV in Dorset on June 12 whź¦‰en he collided head-on with Williamsā€™ motorcycle, police said.Ā 

Williams, 71, of Manchester Center, who was wearing a helmet, suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York, but could not be saved.

Immediately after the crash, Koss called Williamsā€™ wife to tell her what had justā™š happened, Bennington County Stateā€™s Attorney Erica Marthage said.

Koss knew Williams before the crash and considered him a friend. Vermont State Police

Williamsā€™ son Gilź¦l, 32, wore his fatherā€™s jacket and spoke directly to Koss, whom he had met before the crash. The family did not want to press charges or have Koss go tošŸ‰ prison, he said.

ā€œI do forgive you, and Iāœ± hope that you forgive yourself,ā€ he said. 

ā€œI really wish you hadnā€™t killed my father,ā€ he added.šŸŒœ ā€œI really hadšŸ¤” to say that.ā€

Williamsā€™ daughter, Ellie Williams, wrote in her statemą²Œent that she was too angry to forgivšŸ…˜e Koss ā€” but hoped she would be able to in the future.

Williamsā€™ son Gill, 32, wore his fatherā€™s jacket to court Friday and told Koss he forgives him but “I really wish you hadnā€™t killed my father.” AP

ā€œI will never get to feel my fatherā€™s hug again; be able to get his advice again, introduce him to my future huź§Ÿsband, have him walk me ź¦•down the aisle, introduce him to my babies, and have him cry when I name my first son after him,ā€ she wrote.

KšŸ”Æoss had initially pleaded not ā–Øguilty to a felony charge of gross negligent operation with death resulting. If he had been convicted of that charge, he could have been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.

Williamsā€™ nearly 50-year career included starring roles in the TV series ā€œEverwoodā€ and the movie ā€œHair.ā€ He appeared in more than 120 TV and film roles, including the movies ā€œThe Eaglź¦“e Has Landed,ā€ ā€œPrince of the Cityā€ and ā€œOnce Upon a Time in America.ā€

This week, ā€œBlue Bloodsā€ bid an emotional farewell to Williams, šŸ»who played Lenny Ross on šŸ’®the popular CBS series.

With Post wires