Driver Who Killed “Everwood” Actor Treat Wiliams Pleads Guilty to Negligent Driving

"I’m here to apologize and take responsibility for this tragic accident,” the driver, Ryan Koss, said to the Williams family in the Friday hearing

The Vermont driver who crashed into and killed Treat Williams pleaded guilty to negligent driving on Friday, reports the Associated Press, CNN, and The Hollywood Reporter.

Ryan Koss, 35, received a one-year deferred sentence and will be on probation. Additionally, his license will be revoked for a year, and he is required to attend a community restorative justice program on the misdemeanor charge, per the Associated Press.

In September, Koss initially pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of gross negligent operation with death resulting. If Koss was convicted of the first charge, he could have faced up to 15 years in prison, per the Bennington Banner.

On June 12, 2023, the car driven by Koss collided with Williams' motorcycle. Investigators believe Koss didn't see the actor on the motorbike.

After the accident, Koss—who knew Williams beforehand from the town community —called Williams’ wife, Pam Van Sant, and told her what had happened, reports the Associated Press.

“I’m here to apologize and take responsibility for this tragic accident,” Koss said as recounted the accident in the Friday hearing, per the Associated Press. He also offered condolences and apologized to the late actor’s family and fans.

“And I hope this moment can bring some resolution to anyone impacted by this tragedy, especially to Pam, Gill and Ellie, I’m so sorry," said Koss, reports CNN.

Related: Treat Williams, Star of 'Everwood' and 'Hair,' Dead at 71 Following Motorcycle Accident

“I do forgive you, and I hope that you forgive yourself,” Williams’ son Gill told Koss. “I really wish you hadn’t killed my father. I really had to say that.” Gill, 32, also said the Williams family did not want Koss to go to prison or to press charges against him.

While Gill appeared at the hearing, his mother and sister, Ellie, did not appear in court on Friday. Both women wrote their separate statements, which were read out loud during the hearing.

Ellie, 25, said she can’t forgive Koss right now, but she hopes she can in the future. “I will never get to feel my father’s hug again; be able to get his advice again, introduce him to my future husband, have him walk me down the aisle, introduce him to my babies, and have him cry when I name my first son after him,” read her statement, per the Associated Press.

“Our lives will never be the same, our family has been torn apart and there is a huge hole that can’t possibly be filled,” Williams’ wife wrote in her statement, per the Associated Press.

Related: Treat Williams' Cause of Death Determined Nearly 2 Months After Fatal Motorcycle Accident

On June 12, 2023, PEOPLE confirmed with Williams' agent Barry McPherson, that the former Everwood actor died due to the motorcycle accident. He was 71.

"He was killed this afternoon. He was making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off," McPherson told PEOPLE. "I'm just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented."

He died of “severe trauma and blood loss,” the Vermont State Police confirmed that the Medical Examiner’s Office in New York determined in Augst.

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Williams is best known for playing Dr. Andrew Brown on Everwood from 2002 to 2006. He had more than 120 acting credits, one of which was Hair which scored him his first Golden Globe nomination. He also starred in Steven Spielberg's 1941, Heart of Dixie, Blue Bloods, Chicago Fire, and several Hallmark films.

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