Home : Breaking News : Benjamin Bratt's Nephew Dies in Police Chase

Benjamin Bratt's Nephew Dies in Police Chase

Posted Dec 12th 2007 6:57PM by TMZ Staff

Benjamin BrattKristopher Bratt, nephew of actor Benjamin Bratt, was killed early Tuesday morning when a stolen car being pursued by police in San Francisco ran a red light and plowed into Kristopher's car. Bratt died immediately, while his passenger died a short time later. He was 20.

The two men driving the stolen Saturn are currently behind bars. The driver, Richard Gosnell, is facing numerous charges, including two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter, one count of felony hit and run, one count of evading police causing death, one count of stolen vehicle, one count of possession of stolen property, one count of speeding and one count of running a red light, according to San Francisco Police Sgt. Steve Mannina.

Gosnell and his passenger, Joshua Wilson, were treated for minor injuries before taken into custody. Wilson faces one count of stolen vehicle and one count of possessing stolen property.

Kristopher is the son of Bratt's oldest brother.

Comments [402]
SHARE |
4ie6

Reader Comments

(Page 5 of 27) Previous 15 Comments | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

61. 56. VICKY - the lowlife STD ridden VICKY-facists are the problem - happy to see 20 million illegals run amok with fake ID & high speed taco chases that hopefully terminates the STD VICKY-filth from the streets while sparing the caring innocents until illegals are all sent to Iraq & Afghanistan.

Posted at 7:58PM on Dec 12th 2007 by 1

YOUR A RACIST! THIS STORY IS NOT EVEN ABOUT THAT, BUT WITH SOMEONE AS IGNORANT AS YOU I'M SURE YOU ALWAYS MAKE IT ABOUT THAT! RACIST BA$TARD!

Posted at 8:06PM on Dec 12th 2007 by VICKY

62. I blame the police, no need to chase a stolen car.
Posted at 7:03PM on Dec 12th 2007 by FlBiker


Sure.....blame the cops. Why not? Don't blame the thieves. Don't blame them for running the red light. Don't blem them for speeding. Blame the cops, after all they're only supposed to do their job. What a judgmental, prejudiced remark!

Posted at 8:07PM on Dec 12th 2007 by LilMizMargi

63. To all the racist and bigots...

On judgment day, your words and comments wil be taken into account.

God bless the Bratt family

Posted at 8:08PM on Dec 12th 2007 by blu

64. FIBiker...I do hope one day you need a cop and there's not one around for you. Then you could learn to appreciate them. They're not all good, but they're not all bad either.

I pray for the Bratt family. It's always hard to lose a loved one. Its especially hard around the holidays.

Posted at 8:08PM on Dec 12th 2007 by Sheila

65. How tragic and heartbreaking for the Bratt family. My heart and prayers go out to them, and I hope they find strength in their fond and loving memories of Kristopher. Losing a child is absolutely the most devastating thing that can happen to a person, and I can't imagine the pain they must be feeling. I hope they treasure the 20 years they had with him, and remember all the good things he brought into their lives.

Posted at 8:08PM on Dec 12th 2007 by Starbryte

66. What a waist. RIP.

Posted at 8:09PM on Dec 12th 2007 by Kelli

67. As the wife of a tenured police officer, I find it very sad that some will blame the police. These are most often the same people that will blame them for NOT finding their stolen vehicle. Should they let the thieves go so they can perhaps steal again? Traffic Drugs? There is a rule of thumb in the department....they are running from something. My husband, along with every other officer out there puts their own life in jeopardy every time they have to chase one of these idiots. Yes, they took the job. Yes, they understood the risks. BUT, like firefighters, they don't do it anticipating that they will be killed on the job. they try to protect themselves and the citizens that they vowed to protect and serve. My guess is that those officers pursuing the vehicle will carry enough guilt knowing that someone was killed, they don't need the mindless opinions of the public on top of it. My Ben's family be in everyone's thoughts and prayers.

Posted at 8:12PM on Dec 12th 2007 by wife of a police officer

68. This is terrible. What is really sad the assailants get by with minor scratches and two INNOCENT people die. Benjamin Bratt - our prayers are with your family and the police officer. Bella

Posted at 8:13PM on Dec 12th 2007 by Bella

69. When I first read the headline, I assumed the victim was being pursued by the police. I see now that it wasn't so, but the impression left for some could be that this innocent victim was somehow a criminal.

You need to edit that out of respect for him and his family.

Posted at 8:14PM on Dec 12th 2007 by seanflynn

70. They were probably meth heads and I bet it will be shown later when they are charged. Hope these slimeballs get the maximum!

Posted at 8:14PM on Dec 12th 2007 by Bummer!

71. I'm baffled. My regards to the family. horrible situation. and you people starting w/ charges and liberalism?! screw off. I'm a freakin liberal and this guy should be hung. so quit labeling jack@ss.

Posted at 8:17PM on Dec 12th 2007 by T.Marie

72. yea FIBiker, you pay my car insurance premium then you can decide if the cops chase stolen cars or not. premiums keep going up largely due to car theft. the concept that police shouldn't pursue something they know is stolen and is right in front of them is beyond stupid.....it's flirting with brain damage. And the idea that somebody could get hurt is spineless and playing right into the criminals hands so don't bore me with that wimp mantra either loser

Posted at 8:18PM on Dec 12th 2007 by vextor seven

73. Sure - if anyone runs away in a car, let's let them go. Are you telling us that the suspects in the stolen car have no other criminal record? How many of them already have warrants out for their arrest? Doesn't matter - chases have a one-to-one ratio of injuries and death, right? It doesn't matter if it's a stolen car, robbery, or murder; let them run. If someone tries to or does take advantage of your girlfriend, let them drive away. After all, chasing them is the worst thing you could do...

Posted at 8:18PM on Dec 12th 2007 by Pace Yourself

74. My heart goes out to him and his family during this difficult time.

Posted at 9:34AM on Dec 13th 2007 by Victoria

75. This kind of thing happens too often...Hey police! Leave the chase scenes on the movie screens...innocent people shouldn't be dying over stolen cars.

So sorry for the Bratt family and the family of the passenger.

Posted at 8:21PM on Dec 12th 2007 by Rob

Previous 15 Comments | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments