Treat Williams didn’t stand a chance, as the police report shows he was unable to avoid a collision
Actor Treat Williams “could not avoid” a fatal collision in which he fell off his motorcycle, according to a police report.
The Golden Globe-nominated actor was taken to hospital with critical injuries before being pronounced dead in Vermont on Monday.
Reports from the Vermont State Police indicated that the 71-year-old Williams didn’t stand a chance when the 2008 Honda Element crossed the northbound lane of the V-30 and crashed into his $3,500 motorcycle.
The car’s driver, Ryan Koss, attempted to turn left onto Morse Hill Road into a parking lot and came to a stop at approximately 4:53 p.m., he said.
Koss, 35, was “checked at the scene by medical personnel for minor injuries,” but was not taken to a hospital or detained by officers.
Reports from the Vermont State Police showed that the 71-year-old Williams (pictured with his wife) didn’t stand a chance when the 2008 Honda Element slashed the northbound lane of the V-30 against his bike
Koss’s car had extensive front passenger side damage, while William’s 1986 Honda VT700c motorcycle (pictured) had ‘front damage’
The police report states that ‘Williams was unable to avoid a collision and was thrown from his motorcycle’.
Data collected by the Vermont Agency of Transportation revealed that there have been only five incidents on that stretch of road in 12 years, three of which resulted in injuries, but only Williams was pronounced dead.
Members of the Vermont State Police Crash Reconstruction Team remain on scene to try to determine the lead-up to the accident.
Koss’s car had extensive front passenger side damage, while William’s 1986 Honda VT700c motorcycle had ‘front damage’.
An investigation is still ongoing, but it is not clear whether Koss is cooperating with authorities in this case.
Williams – who was wearing a helmet – “suffered serious injuries” and was taken by helicopter to Albany Medical Center in New York, where he was pronounced dead.
The actor, best known for his roles in Everwood and Hair, was enjoying his weekend mowing the lawn at his million-dollar Vermont home just hours before the tragedy.
He was married to actress Pam Van Sant, and together they had two children, Gille and Ellie – and often shared his idyllic country life for his fans on social media.
In a social media post just seven hours ago, Williams shared a photo of his land with the caption, “Mowing today. I wish I could bottle the fragrance’
Williams’ family said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we report that our beloved Treat Williams passed away this evening in Dorset, Vermont following a fatal motorcycle accident.”
The driver of the car, Ryan Koss, attempted to turn left onto Morse Hill Road into a parking lot and came to a stop as he indicated at approximately 4:53 p.m.
Treat Williams (center) plays Dr. Andrew Brown in Everwood – a neurosurgeon who breaks down after his wife’s death and moves from New York to Colorado
Following the tragic news, Barry McPherson, his agent, told People, “He was killed this afternoon. He made left or right [and] a car cut him off. I’m just broken. He was the nicest man. He was so talented.’
“He was an actor’s actor. Filmmakers loved him. He has been the heart of Hollywood since the late 1970s.
“He was very proud of his performance this year. He is so happy with the work I gave him.
“He’s had a balanced career.”
Williams’ family said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we report that our beloved Treat Williams passed away this evening in Dorset, Vermont following a fatal motorcycle accident.
“As you can imagine, we are shocked and deeply saddened at this time. Treat was full of love for his family, for his life and for his craft, and was truly at the top of his game in all of this.
“It’s all so shocking at the moment, but please know that Treat was well loved and respected by his family and everyone who knew him.
Treat Williams at Prince Of The City. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance
The 2008 Honda Element (stock photo) piloted by Koss sliced across the northbound lane of the V-30 in his $3,500 motorcycle
Treat Williams is pictured in 1981 and 1988. He earned two Golden Globe nominations during his career
In 1979, he starred as George Berger in the movie Hair, which was based on the Broadway musical
“We are devastated and ask that you respect our privacy as you process our grief. To all his fans, please know that Treat appreciated you all and please continue to hold him in your hearts and prayers.”
Born in Rowayton, Connecticut, in 1951, Treat Williams began his professional acting career in his twenties, after graduating from Franklin and Marshall College.
Williams rose to fame after his debut role in the thriller Deadly Hero in 1975. He also appeared in The Ritz and 1976’s The Eagle Has Landed.
In 1979, he starred as George Berger in the movie Hair, which was based on the Broadway musical.
Treat Williams with his wife Pam Van Sant and his two children Gille and Ellie in 2008
The actor, who died at the age of 71, often posted photos of his Vermont home online
One of Williams’ Twitter posts, with his tractor in the foreground and his stunning $1 million mansion in the background
It was the role that earned him his first Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year – and two years later, he got his second nomination for his acting in Prince of The City.
He also played Dr. Andrew Brown in Everwood – and he received two SAG Award nominations for his work on the show.
In a social media post just seven hours ago, Williams shared a photo of his land with the caption, “Mowing today. I wish I could bottle the fragrance.”
And two hours before news of his death broke, he recorded mowing the ground and wrote, “What a real Vermonter does.”
Witnesses to the crash or people with information about the incident are asked to call Vermont State Police Shaftsbury Barracks at 802-442-5421 or leave an anonymous tip online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipubmit .