Man Who Gary Collins Hit in DUI Crash Dies

76. 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

77. 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

78. Who is Gary Collins?

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

79. 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

80. The difference between Gary and Brandy is,........Gary was DRUNK......why aint folks bitching about that......

Posted at 7:19PM on Dec 10th 2007 by equal treatment

81. thats to bad

Posted at 9:09PM on Dec 10th 2007 by hurrikahne9

82. I don't condone Gary Collins driving under the influence, but I believe fair is fair, and I think I read the accident wasn't his fault that the man turned left in front of him. Maybe if he hadn't been drinking, he might have reacted differently, but let's not crucify him for something that could have happened to a sober person if someone makes an illegal left turn in front of you.

Posted at 10:01PM on Dec 10th 2007 by Fairness

83. Some of you on here are a bunch of HYPOCRITES!!! just a week or so ago, Brandy was on here and soem of you wanted the book thrown at her and called her a murderer! but now Gary Collins was drinking and driving and its oh well. You idiots! he is more of a murderer whether the cops found him at fault or not. Its that if its white, its alright crap!

Posted at 10:40PM on Dec 10th 2007 by gigi

84. He was not charged with vehicular homicide because the accident was CAUSED by the elderly man. The old guy went through the stop light and caused the wreck. This is not excusing Mr. Collins as he was wrong to be driving drunk but he did not cause the accident.

Posted at 3:16AM on Dec 11th 2007 by Mellie

85. gary waswrong, but i don't think he really deserves THAT much heat.i mean so many ppl drink n drive, he just had bad luck crashing with mr.gates. everyone condones drinking and driving, but they should also consider the man who ran the stop sign...alcohol doesn't kill, impaired judgement does.

Posted at 12:27PM on Dec 11th 2007 by usednatio

86. Yet another Hollywood celebrity charged with a DUI. Do any of them pay attention? I always like Gary Collins but geez, come on man!

It is possible that the 89 year old man had compromised driving skills, as well. No offense to the elderly, we're all going to get there some day, but what in heaven's name is an 89 year old doing behind the wheel of a car? I provided elder care for my mother and eventually we had to relieve her of her driving privileges. I had to drive her everywhere myself and run her errands for her. Her reflexes were compromised and three doctors told us to keep her off the roads. Yes it was resentful and it was a pain to deal with, but least I know that I not only saved her life but others who were driving on the same roads.

Posted at 7:07AM on Dec 11th 2007 by Kay

87. There before the grace of G-d .... The guy was 89 yrs old and Collins was found NOT to be at fault in the accident. To all of the drunken celebrities (lindsay, paris,britney,etc)
Hire a driver!

Posted at 7:59AM on Dec 11th 2007 by michele

88. I don't get it. A celeb gets 96 hours (4 days) for a DUI in which a person dies. Maybe it wasn't Collins' fault, but perhaps if he had not been drinking there wouldn't have been an accident.

After all the trouble Lindsay Lohan got herself into, she spent, what, a little over an hour in jail. I don't see why celebs get away serving so little for doing so much.

The accident was a terrible way to lose a family member, even if he was older. I feel very sorry for people who have no empathy. I hope sensitivity can be learned, as well as not drinking and driving.

Posted at 6:37PM on Dec 11th 2007 by Juanitaville

89. Did any of you actually read the article????? The police found Gary Collins to be "NOT AT FAULT" for the incident. Drunk or not do you think it just might be possible that the OTHER old man (89) maybe shouldn't have been behind the wheel either? As the friend of someone who was picked off at a bus stop by an old lady with no business behind the wheel of a car because her reflexes were GONE!, I for one think the two were destined to collide. Mr Collins may have been able to react quicker than the old guy, and the alcohol probably affected that, but you are all ready to hang him. Again, the truth of the article remains HE WAS NOT AT FAULT FOR THE ACCIDENT!!! Careful people, someday this may be you in the spotlight..... I could give a rip about Gary Collins but I give a big rip about judgmental moron's who get fired up without remembering the facts they just read....

Posted at 5:16PM on Dec 11th 2007 by ellerbee

90. DID YA'LL NOT READ .....HE IS NOT! THE FAULT OF THE ACCIDENT. GEESH! READ PEEPS READ.

Posted at 10:26PM on Dec 11th 2007 by VIC