61. iF YOU ARE DRIVING DRUNK AND GET INTO AN ACCIDENT WHERE SOMEONE DIES YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE. IT'S LIKE IF YOU AND YOUR BUDDY DECIDE TO ROB A BANK AND YOUR BUDDY SHOOTS THE SECURITY GUARD. YOU BOTH GET CHARGED WITH MURDER. I'M SORRY THIS HAPPENED TO GARY COLLINS BUT IF YOU DRIVE DRUNK SOONER OR LATER YOUR LIFE WILL CHANGE FOREVER AND NOT FOR THE GOOD.

Posted at 2:29PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Bill

62. It doesn't matter who was at fault. Collins had no right to be on a public street in his condition and had he not been there, for the old guy to plow into, then perhaps the guy would have plowed into someone else and been less injured. I still say Collins is culpable. I HAVE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR DRINKING AND DRIVING.

Posted at 2:29PM on Dec 10th 2007 by gazoo

63. Funny how Gary's lawyer points out his client was found innocent in causing the accident.

Maybe the old guy did cause the accident, but if the drunk Gary, and he had to be drunk at the time, or they wouldnt have issued him with a D.U.I- maybe his drunken ass could have been more alert, and stopped the accident by having better reflexes to avoid the old man.

Posted at 2:30PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Jzz

64. Maybe if Collins was at home drinking, Mr. Gates might have hit a family in a minivan and killed them all. Maybe...

Posted at 2:38PM on Dec 10th 2007 by reader

65. I hope they put this scuker away for the rest of his life and to think he only got 96 hours jail time and some community work. Rot in jail.

Posted at 2:41PM on Dec 10th 2007 by In All Fairness

66. I doubt he will do any time,these celebs get by with most of their actions...Brandi is out and about constantly partying to this day she may not have been drinking but she killed that woman and then you have the guy from prison break and they nail him but he was not famous enough ?? I don't understand the CA law.

Posted at 2:42PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Anonymous

67. UM # 67/ Anonymous - ...

Brandi has NOT been out consistently partying - She stayed low FOR AT LEAST NINE MONTHS before she was even seen in public and even after that she's only been out a few times. Secondly, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY - SHE WAS NEITHER DRUNK, HIGH or EVEN TALKING on a PHONE!!! Her ACCIDENT was CLEARLY and ACCIDENT!!!! Lane Garrison by CONTRAST WAS DRUNK and HIGH!!!! and EARNED every day of the Jailtime he received. Which in my mind - is STILL NOT ENOUGH!!!!

Posted at 2:55PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Trace

68. You people are stupid...yes he shouldn't have drink and drove...but HELLO! The accident wasn't Gary's fault!

DUH!

Posted at 2:55PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Shannon

69. I'm a murderer now, baby! I don't care who dies as long as I get my booze!

Posted at 3:10PM on Dec 10th 2007 by GaryCollins

70. This is murder - not involuntary manslaughter - in California. All DUI fatalities are automatic murder charges.

Posted at 3:29PM on Dec 10th 2007 by LolaBrickeda

71. If you drive when drunk and get into an accident, it doesn't make any difference who caused the accident, you are guilty of contributory negligence and reckless endangerment, at the very least.

Collins' lawyer did what all lawyers do. He shaped his remarks to clear his client and smear the victim. He capped it all, showing oustanding chutzpah, by offering icondolences to the victim's family.

Collins may find, as OJ did, that being cleared doesn't mean being in the clear. Actually, Collins hasn't really been cleared of anything. The police report has not been subjected to any kind of judicial process. If Collins is charged with causing Gates' death, the police report will be evidence that is subject to examination and cross-examination. And that's just the criminal case. When the Gates family brings a civil action, we'll see how well the police report holds up.

Some of you seem to feel that Collins' "no contest" plea to the DUI charge has bearing on possible future charges against him, but the DA can still file charges relating to the collision itself and to Collins' possible culpability for vehicular homicide, manslaughter or other felonies..

Posted at 3:49PM on Dec 10th 2007 by SiggieFreud

72. Who is Gary Collins?

Posted at 3:59PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Sam

73. On New Year's Day 2007 I was hit by a drunk driver doing 60 and ran a stop sign, and was told I'll probably never walk again because of my injuries. She was twice the limit, it was her 3rd DUI, and she had no insurance but got off free because her hubby was a Dallas police officer and pigs cover their own. I got stuck with nearly a quarter million in medical bills and lost everything because I can't go back to work yet.

It's who you are, who you know, and who you blow that lets you walk, even if someone dies. My heart goes out to the Gates family. Prosecute Collins!

Posted at 5:47PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Shannon

74. Gazoo:

I join in with your zero tolerance for drinking and driving stance. To cause a death (or any injury for that matter) while drinking and driving should be a mandatory prison sentence of many years--not a slap on the wrist! Put 'em all in the pen until 2028 at least!

Posted at 6:20PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Nancy

75. "On December 6, 2007, he pleaded no contest to DUI charges stemming from the October 2007 incident and was sentenced to 4 days in jail. He was also sentenced to 4 years of probation, fined $500, and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. He must also pay restitution to the victims, enroll in an 18-month alcohol education program and attend 26 A.A. meetings -- at least two per week. [3]" wikipedia

Looks like TMZ is a little behind on their game if you ask me..

Posted at 6:22PM on Dec 10th 2007 by evelyn