MANCHESTER, VERMONT: Actor Treat Williams' death was allegedly caused by a driver who claims to have known the man and "considered him a friend." Ryan Koss, the managing director of the Dorset Theatre Festival in Vermont, has denied any wrongdoing and asserted that the accusations against him are unjustified.

Koss claimed that he had known Williams for many years as a fellow actor and a member of the close-knit community. Williams' death devastated him, he continued, extending his "sincere condolences" to the actor's family. Koss, a 35-year-old Dorset resident, made his statement on Friday, three days after receiving a citation for a fatally negligent operation, as reported by Daily Mail.

He was told to appear in court in September to face formal charges. Koss' car pulled out in front of Williams' motorcycle in Dorset on June 12, causing the collision, according to an investigation by the Vermont State Police. The actor, 71, of Manchester Center, was declared dead at Albany Medical Center in upstate New York.

Koss faces 15 years in prison

According to TMZ, Koss faces a felony charge that could result in a $15,000 fine or 15 years in prison if convicted. However, he asserts that he is "confident the facts will show I obeyed all relevant traffic laws" and that the state's accusations are unjustified.

Treat Williams' Hollywood career

Richard 'Treat' Williams starred in the WB television show 'Everwood', which aired from 2002 to 2006. He also starred in Milos Forman's 'Hair', an adaptation of the well-known Broadway musical of the same name. Williams took on more than 120 TV and movie roles over the course of a more than 50-year career in show business.

He starred in several movies, including 'The Eagle Has Landed', 'Prince of the City', 'Once Upon a Time in America', 'Deep Rising', and 'Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead'. Williams leaves behind his 35-year wife Pam Van San and their children Ellie (25) and Gill (31).