Gary Collins DUI Victim Dies

[PhantomGoddess]

Man Who Gary Collins Hit in DUI Crash Dies

Posted Dec 10th 2007 12:32PM by TMZ Staff

Filed under: Celebrity Justice

TMZ has learned that the elderly man who was hit by a car driven by a drunk Gary Collins has died.

Collins was arrested after plowing into a car driven by 89-year-old Warren Gates in October. Gates had been hospitalized since the accident, and sadly died 8:00 PM Friday.

Collins pleaded no contest last Thursday to DUI charges and was sentenced to 96 hours in jail.No word yet on whether Collins will be hit with additional charges. Collins was, however, found not to be at fault for causing the accident. Collins' lawyer tells TMZ, "We are saddened to hear that the gentleman has passed away. This was an unfortunate accident. We are pleased that the police found that Mr. Collins was not at fault. We send our condolences to the family."

Source: TMZ

 

[KellyB]

So sad and another testament to why you need to give your keys to someone if you have even had one drink. That man was someones family member.

 

[puncturedskirt]

How sad. I agree Kelly. I don't understand why people do it.

 

[PhantomGoddess]

It still surprises me that people would drink and drive knowing that other lives are in your hands.

 

[-Liz-]

thats awful i dont understand drunk driving, ive never done it, and i wont. Because like this, its usualy not the stupid a** driver that dies, its someone innocent. Poor man and his family.

And the worst part is he didnt get charged...

 

[Aquilah]

I'm confused on if Gary Collins didn't cause the accident, how deceased is a DUI victim? Seems to me like something/someone else caused the accident, and it ended with Gary Collins hitting him. I'm not condoning his drinking & driving... It's sad all around. Just confuses me!

 

[PhantomGoddess]

Here is an update from TMZ:

Gary Collins Won't Be Charged With Manslaughter

Posted Dec 10th 2007 2:35PM by TMZ Staff

Filed under: Celebrity Justice

Gary Collins will not be prosecuted for manslaughter, even though the man he hit the night he was busted for DUI died.

Collins copped a plea last Thursday to DUI. The next day, 89-year-old Warren Gates died from his injuries in the crash. Gates has been hospitalized since the accident last October.

Prosecution sources tell TMZ Collins will not be prosecuted for manslaughter for two reasons. First, officers say Gates caused the crash by making an illegal left. In order to prosecute for manslaughter, the D.A. must prove that Collins caused the accident. Also, because Collins pleaded no contest to DUI, double jeopardy attaches. So Gary will serve his 96 hours in jail and then it's case closed.

 

[puncturedskirt]

Originally Posted by -Liz- /img/forum/go_quote.gif its usualy not the stupid a** driver that dies, its someone innocent. That's how it is too.

Originally Posted by PhantomGoddess /img/forum/go_quote.gif Here is an update from TMZ:
Gary Collins Won't Be Charged With Manslaughter

Posted Dec 10th 2007 2:35PM by TMZ Staff

Filed under: Celebrity Justice

Gary Collins will not be prosecuted for manslaughter, even though the man he hit the night he was busted for DUI died.

Collins copped a plea last Thursday to DUI. The next day, 89-year-old Warren Gates died from his injuries in the crash. Gates has been hospitalized since the accident last October.

Prosecution sources tell TMZ Collins will not be prosecuted for manslaughter for two reasons. First, officers say Gates caused the crash by making an illegal left. In order to prosecute for manslaughter, the D.A. must prove that Collins caused the accident. Also, because Collins pleaded no contest to DUI, double jeopardy attaches. So Gary will serve his 96 hours in jail and then it's case closed.

Well, If that's the case. If he wasn't drunk maybe he could've avoided this accident by seeing more clearly. Although accidents like these happen alot (someone making an illegal turn).

 

[emily_3383]

People don't take driving seriously.

 

[farris2]

senseless

 

[yourleoqueen]

Seems to me that since the only people to survive drunk driving crashes are the drunks, maybe we should all drive drunk just to be on the safe side.

Sarcasm people, SARCASM

 

[Lyndebe]

Originally Posted by yourleoqueen /img/forum/go_quote.gif Seems to me that since the only people to survive drunk driving crashes are the drunks, maybe we should all drive drunk just to be on the safe side.
Sarcasm people, SARCASM

I love your cynicism, it's exactly what I was thinking

 

[Jennifer]

gary should rot in hell cuz of this!

 

[han]

if the accident wasnt his fault whos fault was it??

old people driveing scares me as much as drunk drivers and teenagers.