The man accused of killing Treat Williams in the crash pleads guilty and avoids prison

CNN
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a Vermont man Accused of killing the actor Williams treatment The defendant in a 2023 car crash pleaded guilty Friday to a reduced charge of reckless driving resulting in death and will avoid prison time.

Judge Kerry Ann MacDonald Cady said Coss' sentence would be deferred for a year, and his driver's license would be suspended during that period. He will also be required to undergo mental health counseling and a restorative justice program.

If he does not comply with these conditions, the judge can impose a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a fine of $3,000.

CNN has reached out to Ian Carlton, Koss' attorney, for comment.

Police previously said that in June of 2023, Ryan Koss was driving a Honda Element SUV that turned into the path of Williams' motorcycle on Fairmont Road 30 in Dorset.

The 71-year-old actor was thrown from the motorcycle and sustained serious injuries. Officials previously said he was airlifted to Albany Medical Center in New York, where he was pronounced dead.

More than a month after the accident, Koss was charged with “grossly negligent operation resulting in death,” at the request of the Pennington County State's Attorney's Office, Vermont State Police said last year.

Williams' son, Gil, spoke in court Friday, explaining how difficult it had been for his family since his father's death, noting that he had been writing a movie for his father, one they were planning to do together.

“That was my story and it's not that anymore,” Jill Williams said.

He also addressed the anger he felt and what he thought he would say in court today.

“I've spent months now thinking about all the things I could say that would be hurtful and I don't want to do that,” Jill Williams said.

“I know that in order to heal, in order to heal my family, in order to move forward, I have to become a new person because you hit me that day and you killed me that day in some way,” he added.

“That was a different person because the person who now has to deal with the loss of my father, who was an extraordinary person, a truly extraordinary human being, who had so much life to live and so many wonderful things to do, is an extraordinary person.” A burden that I don't know how to handle, without becoming a new person.

Part of being this new person is forgiving Kos, Jill Williams said.

He said he felt he had to come to court “and just say I forgive you and I hope you forgive yourself. And I don't want you to go to jail – we haven't pressed charges – it's very difficult to deal with the fact that there are no real repercussions, you know, we don't feel like that – But what will it be?You know, nothing will bring my father back.

The “Deep Rising” actor's son also admitted that Kos did not mean to cause the accident.

“You just didn't look, and you were negligent and incompetent that day, and that's the most angry I can be about this, because I know you didn't mean to do it,” he said.

“I can only begin my sincerest apologies and condolences to the Williams family as well as to Mr. Williams' loved ones and to his fans and our community, all of whom have been comforting him,” Coss said as he stood and addressed the court, his voice trembling. Following Jill Williams' statements.

“I am here to admit that this accident happened because I made a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle that collided with my car and it was my responsibility to avoid that happening, and for that I am truly sorry.”

Coss also addressed Treat Williams' wife, Pam, son, Jill, and daughter, Ellie.

“And I hope this moment brings some resolution to anyone affected by this tragedy, especially for Pam Gill and Eli. I'm so sorry.”

Treat Williams is best known for various film roles including the 1979 musical film “Hair,” as well as the television dramas “Blue Bloods” and “Everwood.” for him The last floor He was in the final season of Ryan Murphy's period series “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans,” which is currently airing.

CNN's Anastasios Stefanidis, Nick F. Anderson and Dan Hitching contributed to this story.