Actor Treat Williams was thrown from his motorcycle in a fatal crash, but remained conscious and responsive while paramedics attended to him on the pavement, according to information obtained by DailyMail.com.
Matt Rapphahn, the owner of Long Trail Auto located near the crash site, witnessed the incident firsthand. He described how Williams, despite the accident, was alert and able to answer questions from the paramedics.
The crash occurred as Ryan Koss, driving his Honda Element SUV, was making a turn into the auto shop parking lot on Route 30. Matt, who was standing outside his shop at the time, recounted seeing Williams being thrown through the air during the collision.
Williams, wearing a helmet, ended up on the pavement a short distance away from his motorcycle, which still had its tire spinning, according to Matt.
The 71-year-old Golden Globe-nominated actor was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but was later pronounced dead in Vermont.
Reports from the Vermont State Police indicated that Williams had little chance of avoiding the collision, as the Honda crossed into the northbound lane of V-30, directly into the path of Williams’ motorcycle.
While Koss, aged 35, was examined at the scene by medical personnel for minor injuries, he was not taken to the hospital and has not been arrested. Police are investigating the circumstances to determine who was at fault in the fatal incident.
It is likely that Williams and Koss knew each other, as Koss worked at the theater where Williams performed in American Buffalo in 2017.
The police report stated that Williams was unable to avoid the collision and was thrown from his motorcycle. Data from the Vermont Agency of Transportation revealed that there have been five incidents on that particular stretch of road over the past 12 years, resulting in three injuries, with Williams being the only fatality.
Koss’ SUV sustained significant damage to the front passenger side, while Williams’ 1986 Honda VT700c motorcycle had front-end damage.
Matt, the shop owner, noted that Koss had an appointment to have his SUV inspected at his shop and that Koss’ husband had arrived in another vehicle to pick him up.
Williams, who was wearing a helmet, suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to Albany Medical Center in New York, where he was pronounced dead.