Driver Involved in Treat Williams’ Fatal Motorcycle Crash Pleads Not Guilty
The Bennington County State's Attorney's office initially charged Ryan Koss last month with "grossly negligent operation with death"
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The Vermont driver involved in the accident that led to Treat Williams’ sudden death has entered a plea to the charge.
According to the Associated Press, 35-year-old Ryan Koss has pleaded not guilty to his role in the June crash during his Monday arraignment at the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Bennington. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
The Bennington County State’s Attorney’s office completed its review of the crash involving a motorcycle and a single car last month. He was then charged with “grossly negligent operation with death,” according to a press release from the Vermont State Police.
PEOPLE confirmed on June 12 that Williams died at age 71 hours after he was involved in a motorcycle accident in Vermont. He suffered critical injuries from the crash before being airlifted to Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York, where he was pronounced dead.
“He was killed this afternoon. He was making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off,” Williams’ agent Barry McPherson told PEOPLE. “I’m just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented.”
“He was an actor’s actor. Filmmakers loved him. He’s been the heart of the Hollywood since the late 1970s,” he continued. “He was really proud of his performance this year. He’s been so happy with the work that I got him. He’s had a balanced career.”
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In a news release shared with PEOPLE last month, the Vermont State Police confirmed that the Medical Examiner’s Office in New York determined the Everwood actor’s cause of death as “severe trauma and blood loss.”
Koss eventually spoke out about the incident, saying he was “devastated by Mr. Williams’ tragic passing.”
“I have known Treat for years, both as a member of this tight-knit community and fellow theater maker. I considered him a friend,” he said, according to the Manchester Journal. “I know his family feels his sudden loss even more deeply than I do, and I offer my sincerest condolences to them.”
Williams is survived by his wife of 35 years, Pam Van Sant, and their children Gill Williams and Elinor “Ellie” Williams.
