Celebrity Justice
Man Who Gary Collins Hit in DUI Crash Dies

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."





Reader Comments

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1. Nice one thanks the for the good info!!!!!!!

Posted at 3:35PM on Feb 7th 2008 by PinkFox

2. Poor old guy.

Collins is screwed. I'm kinda sad for him too because I liked "Hangar 18". But there's no excuse for driving drunk. He deserves to be charged with manslaughter.

Posted at 12:52PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Cynic

3. Wow, 1st.

Posted at 12:52PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Buster

4. damm

Posted at 12:53PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Buster

5. Nail him! Collins, no matter how famous, is now infamous. Whether he does his measly 96 hours, the man now has to 'pay up' for a much bigger sin ... no time for celebrity justice. Nail him!

Posted at 12:55PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Mama

6. VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER

Posted at 12:55PM on Dec 10th 2007 by JJ

7. So sad, and preventable. My thoughts and prayers are with the elderly man's family.

Posted at 12:55PM on Dec 10th 2007 by ReneeNW

8. How sad, it sure makes that drink or shall I say drinks REALLY not worth it. Gary Old Fart Collins should of kept his ugly old butt at home and drank!

Posted at 12:55PM on Dec 10th 2007 by People Suck

9. So what he was 89, would've died soon either way, whether or not he was hit.

Posted at 12:58PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Marx

10. This is really tragic and I feel bad for Gary bc I also liked him very much. But, in life you have to pay for your mistakes. Most of us have all driven after drinking and let this be a lesson to each and everyone of us. I never want to be in Gary's shoes.

And, my thoughts and prayers go to the elderly man's family. This could have been avoided.

Posted at 12:59PM on Dec 10th 2007 by sandra

11. HIS DRUNK ASS SHOULD BE IN PRISON FOR MURDER. BUT, AS USUAL, CELEBRITIES (OR WHATEVER HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE) ARE NOT TREATED LIKE THE REST OF US. THAT TOWN IS A JOKE.

Posted at 1:04PM on Dec 10th 2007 by penny

12. Wow, #9, what an absolutely horrible thing to say. That wasn't even remotely funny. Shame on you. No one deserves to die that way, especially at 89 years old. He deserved a peaceful death.

Posted at 1:01PM on Dec 10th 2007 by whatever

13. My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Gates family and friends. What a horrible horrible thing to have happened all because this fool Collins wanted to drink.

Shame on you Gary! There's no excuse for driving drunk! You're an idiot! I hope you go to prison for a very long time!

Posted at 1:02PM on Dec 10th 2007 by hmmmmm

14. This is very sad....& I hope all you people who STILL drink & drive will take this to heart....A car , in the first place is a Deadly weapon...We all must remember this when Driving at all....We drive too fast..we tried to get the yellow lights...we don't look, (that well) when making the right on reds...Drive recklessly through parking lots...ppl just don't use their blinkers anymore either..They move from lane to lane..at will..They believe THEY own the roads...and hardly think about the other Drivers....NOW..take all those Traits..and Have a drink or 7..and then go for a DRIVE!!.....Ppl...DIE...friends, Family...Neighbors...sisters, brothers..you get the picture..THEY CAN BE KILLED by the car.....It CAN & DOES happen..all the time...they can die, get hurt..& just never be the same...here One Minute...gone the next...Life is so unpredictable...PLEASE..to everone that may read this...Take more car when driving...AND>>>ITS NEVER A GOOD IDEA TO DRINK & DRIVE>>>take a cab..a bus...call a friend...walk....hitch...or Just don't have that drink in the first place...take it home...a then get SLOSHED...at least then you just may get another chance to drink ...
Peace out...Happy Holidays!

Posted at 1:03PM on Dec 10th 2007 by WTF?

15. OMG THAT'S TERRIBLE.

R.I.P.

Posted at 1:04PM on Dec 10th 2007 by JT

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