Driver Involved in Treat Williams' Death Enters Plea, Faces 15 Years in Prison
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The driver involved in Treat Williams' fatal motorcycle crash has pleaded not guilty to a charge related to the death of the actor.
Ryan Koss, the 35-year-old motorist, could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison, face a fine of $15,000, or both if he’s convicted of gross negligent operation with death resulting, per the local state law.
Koss was officially charged with gross negligent operation resulting in death last month after the police investigation of the deadly crash–which occurred in Vermont on June 12–concluded that a vehicle pulled in front of Williams, who was riding a motorcycle and was unable to avoid a collision.
According to Vermont State Police, Koss attempted to make a left turn in his Honda Element SUV when he collided with Williams, who was riding his motorcycle. The Everwood star was thrown from his motorcycle during the crash and sustained serious injuries that required he be airlifted to the Level 1 Trauma Center at Albany Medical Center in New York, where he was later pronounced dead.
Koss was contacted on the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 1, and "voluntarily met troopers at the Shaftsbury Barracks, where he was processed on the charge and released," per previous statements shared by authorities.
The latest update from Vermont State Police's investigation of the crash also confirmed the official cause of death for Williams, which was listed as "severe trauma and blood loss as a result of the crash" as determined by the Medical Examiner's Office in New York.
Williams—who is survived by his wife, Pamela Van Sant, and their two adult children, Gill, 31, and Ellie, 24—has since been laid to rest and memorialized in a Celebration of Life ceremony held by his family in July.
"As time passes, the grief doesn’t get any easier, but life is fragile," the family wrote in a statement shared to the late actor's Instagram page. "We are trying to live every day like it’s our last, and appreciate the time on this beautiful planet that we are lucky to call home."
"Here’s a picture from Treat’s Celebration of Life of the family 🤍," they added alongside a photo of the family posing with their two dogs in front of a truck filled with flowers.
In the three months since the Blue Bloods actor's tragic passing, many Hollywood stars have also honored his memory–read their tributes.
Next: 'Chesapeake Shores' Author Sherryl Woods Shares a Moving Treat Williams Story
