Actor Treat Williams died in a motorcycle accident in Dorset yesterday.
The Vermont State Police is investigating a crash between an SUV and a motorcycle Monday afternoon, June 12 in Dorset in which Williams, the operator of the motorcycle, suffered fatal injuries.
State police say Richard Treat Williams, 71, was a resident of Manchester Center.
The crash occurred at about 4:53 p.m. Monday on Vermont Route 30 just north of Morse Hill Road when a southbound 2008 Honda Element driven by Ryan M. Koss, 35, of Pownal attempted to turn left into a parking lot. Initial investigation indicates the Element stopped, signaled a left turn, and then turned into the path of a northbound 1986 Honda VT700c motorcycle operated by Williams.
Williams was unable to avoid a collision and was thrown from his motorcycle. He suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York, where he was pronounced dead. Koss was checked by medical personnel at the scene for minor injuries and was not transported to a hospital.
The investigation into this crash is in its early stages. A member of the Vermont State Police Crash Reconstruction Team was on scene Monday evening, and team members will return to the location of the collision Tuesday, June 13, to continue processing the scene.
Williams Wikipedia bio reads:
“Richard Treat Williams was an American actor, author, writer, and aviator who appeared on film, stage, and television. He has over 120 credits to his name. He first became well known for his starring roles in two 1979 films, the musical Hair and Steven Spielberg’s 1941. He later starred in the films The Eagle Has Landed, Prince of the City, Once Upon a Time in America, The Late Shift, and 127 Hours. From 2002 to 2006, he was the lead of the television series Everwood and was nominated for two Screen Actors Guild Awards. He was nominated for three Golden Globe Awards, two Satellite Awards, and an Independent Spirit Award.
Williams lived in Park City, Utah, and Manchester Center, with his wife, Pam Van Sant, and two children, Gille and Ellie. He was a licensed pilot and flight instructor who often flew his family to and from their homes.
Koss is Managing Creative Director of the Dorset Theater Festival.
Any witnesses to the crash or those with information about the incident are asked to call the Vermont State Police Shaftsbury Barracks at 802-442-5421 or leave an anonymous tip online.
Photo credit Wikipedia.
Categories: Police Reports
Just signalling intent to make a left turn isn’t enough. There has to be no oncoming traffic that might reasonably be expected to be present as you turn. I’m getting pretty disgusted by the carnage on the roads here in VT and the total lack of respect for basic principles of safe driving. I can only hope that as the poor victim is well known that this may draw attention to what has been happening on the roads here for awhile.
I have been driving this stretch of road frequently recently. Straight two-lane heavily traveled north/south paved road, 40-45 mph speed limit which people respect, not prone to speeding in this area. No excuse for this tragic decision on the part of the SUV driver to turn into the path an oncoming motorcycle. So sad and so unnecessary. Was he texting or on the phone? I don’t understand how this happened, if the driver was paying attention.
The connections between Hollywood, Wall Street, and Vermont. The contracts made at the crossroads are running out. The shifting and shaking is happening. There are no coincedences.
Congratulations on turning the mourning of family and friends into a statement that appears to indicate that this was no accident.
Mel Gibson and Jim Caviezel are enlightening the masses as what it takes to be successful in Hollywood. Bob Dylan admitted the key to his success in an interview years ago. Alec Baldwin, Ezra Miller, CNN producer, John Griffin; all own property in Vermont, all charged with criminal acts. There is a lot going on in the money towns and most people have no clue – that’s why they come here. An accident between two connected thespians from money towns…what are the odds?
One of the good ones less corrupted by the job and fame. I will always watch anything he is in. In the entertainment industry, a real loss.
Loss of a talent that brightened our world. Tragic in every regard. Perhaps too much to wish for, but there is likely a common thread to the spate of recent, fatal accidents on lightly traveled, safe roads in perfect weather conditions. I can’t help believe potent cannabis availability and chronic texting both play a role. Hope our state police have the man power and resources to identify the common thread.
Treat was not only a superb actor. He was a great gentleman and a wonderful friend.
Those of us whose lives were greatly honored and benefitted by his graciousness, his wonderful sense of humor and his broad knowledge of the industry with which he was associated for so many years, have lost a very special companion. We all shall
miss him greatly.