The 71-year-old versatile actor was riding his motorcycle in Dorset, Vermont and making a turn when a car driver, who apparently didn't see him, 'cut him off.'
- Jun 13, 2023
AceShowbiz - Treat Williams' family is suffering an immense loss. The actor suddenly and tragically passed away on Monday, June 12 after being involved in a motorcycle accident in Dorset, Vermont. He was 71.
"As you can imagine, we are shocked and greatly bereaved at this time," the family said in a statement to Deadline. "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 it. It is all so shocking right now, but please know that Treat was dearly and deeply loved and respected by his family and everyone who knew him."
The family added, "We are beyond devastated and ask that you respect our privacy as we deal with our grief. To all his fans, please know that Treat appreciated all of you and please continue to keep him in your hearts and prayers."
Also confirming the sad news, his agent of 15 years, Barry McPherson, said in a statement to the press, "He was killed this afternoon. He was making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off." He added, "I'm just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented."
Barry went on remembering the late star, "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."
The Vermont State Police said in a press release that the accident happened around 5 P.M. ET and involved Treat's car and a single car. The actor was aboard a motorcycle when he collided with a car on Route 30 near Dorset.
An initial investigation indicated that the driver of the car "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."
The driver of the car suffered minor injuries and did not need to be hospitalized, police said.
Treat's big break came when he starred in 1979's musical film "Hair". He then landed roles in films such as "The Eagle Has Landed", "Prince of the City", "Once Upon a Time in America", "The Late Shift" and "127 Hours". The versatile actor led the WB series "Everwood" from 2002 to 2006.
In his final tweet posted just hours before his death, he showed his farm and appreciation for country life. "What a real Vermonter does," he captioned a video of someone working on the farm with a tractor.
