Family friend who killed actor Treat Williams in Vermont motorcycle crash avoids jail time at request of victim’s family after pleading guilty to lesser charge

A Vermont driver who killed actor Treat Williams in a car crash has avoided jail after pleading guilty to a reduced charge at the request of the victim’s family.

Ryan Koss received a one-year deferred sentence, had his driver’s license revoked for one year and must complete a community restorative justice program.

Koss, 35, killed Williams, 71, after crashing his SUV into the victim’s motorcycle on the motorway in Dorset on June 12 last year.

“I am here to apologize and take responsibility for this tragic accident,” Koss said during an emotional hearing on Friday, where he also offered his condolences to Williams’ family and fans.

“I forgive you, and I hope you forgive yourself,” said Williams’ son Gill Williams, 32, as he addressed Koss in court and told him the family did not want to press charges or see him jailed.

Ryan Koss, pictured in court Friday, received a one-year deferred sentence, had his driver’s license revoked for a year and must complete a community restorative justice program.

Williams’ son Gill Williams (center) said the family did not want to press charges or see Koss jailed. Pictured: Williams with his son and daughter Ellie Williams in 2012

But he also added, “I really wish you hadn’t killed my father.” I really had to say that.’

Koss, who worked as managing creative director of the Dorset Theater Festival in Vermont, had known Williams for years through his work and considered him a friend.

After the crash, he called Williams’ wife to tell her what happened and took responsibility for what happened, County Attorney Erica Marthage said.

Gill Williams said his father was “everything” to their family and was an extraordinary person who lived life to the fullest, and it is now difficult to figure out how to move on.

“It’s very difficult for this to happen because of someone’s negligence,” he said, urging people to take driving much more seriously and keep an eye out for motorcycles.

Statements from Williams’ wife, Pam, and his daughter, neither of whom attended the court hearing, were read out.

Pam Williams said in her statement that it was a tragic accident and that she hopes Koss can forgive himself.

Williams was driving on Route 30 in Dorset, Vermont, when he was cut off by an oncoming SUV as it turned left into an auto shop parking lot; seen in 2012

The 35-year-old initially pleaded not guilty to a crime of gross negligence causing death

Daughter Ellie Williams wrote in her statement that she was too angry and hurt to forgive Koss at this time, but hopes she will do so in the future.

“Our lives will never be the same, our family is torn apart and there is a huge hole that will be impossible to fill,” Pam Williams wrote in her statement.

Daughter Ellie Williams wrote in her statement that she was too angry and hurt at the time to forgive Koss, but hopes she will do so in the future.

‘I will never feel my father’s hug again; “I can get his advice again, introduce him to my future husband, walk him down the aisle, introduce him to my babies, and have him cry when I name my first son after him,” a victim’s attorney said as he read her. rack.

An eyewitness told DailyMail.com that Koss collided with the motorcycle, causing Williams to fly off his bike.

The TV star, who was wearing a helmet, was then left sprawled on the pavement a few meters from his motorcycle.

Reports released by Vermont State Police indicated Williams didn’t stand a chance when Koss’ Honda crossed into the northbound lane of V-30 in his 1986 Honda VT700c motorcycle around 4:53 p.m.

The police report states that “Williams was unable to avoid a collision and was thrown from his motorcycle.” It was also confirmed that Koss was not drunk.

“I forgive you, and I hope you forgive yourself,” Williams’ son Gill Williams told Koss, but also added, “I really wish you wouldn’t have killed my father.”

Pam Van Sant, Williams’ heartbroken widow, broke her silence about his untimely death last year; the couple seen in 2016

The Golden Globe-nominated actor was taken to hospital with serious injuries before being pronounced dead.

Koss originally pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor count of gross negligence resulting in death. Had he been convicted of this charge, he could have been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.

Williams’ nearly 50-year career included starring roles in the TV series “Everwood” and the film “Hair.”

He has appeared in more than 120 TV and film roles, including the films ‘The Eagle Has Landed’, ‘Prince of the City’ and ‘Once Upon a Time in America’.