‘Hair’ and ‘Everwood’ Actor Treat Williams Dead at 71 Following Motorcycle Accident

Treat Williams died unexpectedly Monday following a motorcycle accident in Vermont. He was 71.

“He was killed this afternoon. He was making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off,” he said. “I’m just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented.”

Authorities stated that around 4:53 p.m., “a southbound 2008 Honda Element […] attempted to turn left into a parking lot.” The initial investigation detailed that the Element “stopped, signaled a left turn, and then turned into the path of a northbound 1986 Honda VT700c motorcycle operated by Williams.”

I’ve only driven a motorcycle one time, about 40 years ago. Do you think at 60 I should take up a new hobby?

If you think you're (honestly) physically and mentally up to the challenge, I'd say yes!

Here are some things to think about, though:

There will be insurance implications
You'll need to take a motorcycle course (in my opinion, EVERYONE should take this course-- it increases awareness of motorcycles around you and you'll find it helpful even for your own vehicle driving)
riding a motorcycle requires complete concentration at all times
constantly question your mood, health, etc. to determine if you should ride today
be weather-aware

Quite honestly, if you're considering it, I'd do the leg-work and get the training and license. That's less of a financial and time hurdle, and you'll find the preparation useful, even if you decide riding isn't, ultimately, for you.

Then, I'd decide if your son's bike is suitable (i.e. it's going to fit you), or you're going to need to find a more suitable bike, then go for it! Best of luck to you, regardless!

...and remember my friend's advice.

No. My point is that the journalist uses “unexpected” incorrectly.

If you get hit by a car and it’s just you, an intelligent person would expect you to die. If you didn’t die, that would be unexpected.

I’ve had cars pull out in front of me a few times...once was really close. You have to constantly watch for the idiots when you are riding. Some people just do not look for motorcycles.

They don't look out for bicycles either. I was on a bike path and someone in a station wagon pulled in front of the path from behind a parked van. There was no time to react. I slammed into his fender and landed on his hood. Thankfully I wasn't hurt, though my front wheel bent up like a pretzel. I had to walk the bike back three miles to my car on its back wheel.

Probably a bad idea. You must understand that you will eventually go down. How quickly do your bones heal? Of course, I’m 72 and still riding regularly. I’ve got a 170cc scooter for local and a HD FLH for longer distance riding.

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