Home : Celebrity Justice : Man Who Gary Collins Hit in DUI Crash Dies

Man Who Gary Collins Hit in DUI Crash Dies

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

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."

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16. I wonder if he gets as much time as Vick......

Posted at 1:23PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Scorpiomamma

17.
Here goes. I think I lost my last comment.
Basically, I am fed up with the celebraties driving while drunk. They should ALL get the maximum sentences and penalties. It is becoming a joke. They have the money to hire a driver. I don't feel sorry for any of them. They should all get what is coming to them no matter who they are.

Posted at 6:55PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Rene

18. Collins will walk, don't you know that he's a TV LEGEND?

Posted at 1:08PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Monkey

19. Is it just me or does the old guy look EXACTLY like Gary? Too sad. This is what is in store for Gary and the 89 year old man should not have had to die this way. Drinking and driving is deadly and unfortunately, more dangerous for the innocent people involved.

Posted at 1:11PM on Dec 10th 2007 by mirrormirror

20. Who is this guy?

Posted at 1:12PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Carolyn (Abernathy)

21. ....I can only imagine the complications that poor soul ran into in the hspt because of his age...how sad after living 89 yrs he was denied his own natural destiny, poor gentleman and his family, and I hope that Mr. Collins charges are upgraded, don't know how the system works there though...Mr. Collins life is over as he knew it too. WHY don't people get the message yet?

Posted at 1:12PM on Dec 10th 2007 by jr

22. He is a drunk and a killer. He should spend the rest of his life in jail.

Posted at 1:24PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Scorpiomamma

23. Get real, the man was 89 and this should be taken into account when considering charges. An 89 year-old has no business driving anyway, especially in Southern California!

Posted at 1:19PM on Dec 10th 2007 by buzzbomber

24. wow !!!!!
i cant believe she died ! i feel sorry for her family and YES Gary also. i cant imagine living your life knowing you killed someone.

so sad !!

Posted at 1:19PM on Dec 10th 2007 by WWW.BORING.COM

25. Mary Ann Mobley, his wife and the former Miss America, will be on his azz. Merry Christmas.

I feel so sorry for this man and his family. I hope they throw the book at him.

And to those who criticize the laws here in Southern California..suck it. Gary will have charges pressed against him and he will serve time for involuntary manslaughter.

It's a no win situation all around.

R.I.P.

Posted at 1:22PM on Dec 10th 2007 by JT

26. This is sad on so many levels.

Posted at 1:37PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Tired and Ready for A Nap

27. The victim's age is immaterial. How do you know that he wouldn't have lived to be 105? How do you know that a 17 year old will make it to 18? The fact that the victim was torn from his family & friends by a drunk driver is what is material. To suggest otherwise is incredibly ignorant.

Posted at 1:28PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Cosmic Canine

28. It's too bad they can't lock him up and throw away the key.

Posted at 1:28PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Alexa

29. i agree with number 11. Number 9 you are so rude.

Posted at 1:29PM on Dec 10th 2007 by crzy4kats

30. How very sad. How very tacky of you, TMZ, to post a picture of the guy on a stretcher. He's not a celebrity... I'm sure his family would not want that pic posted. :(

Drunk driving is inexcusable. I like Gary Collins, but he should serve some jail time as well as pay the family for their lost.

Posted at 1:32PM on Dec 10th 2007 by karla

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