CAUSE OF DEATH: Treat Williams confirmed dead in motorcycle accident

Treat Williams confirmed dead in motorcycle accident.

Williams’ death was confirmed by a statement by his family, released his agency APA. Vermont State Police reported a road closure near Dorset due to a motor vehicle accident at 5:24 p.m. He was transferred to Albany Medical Center in Albany, N.Y.

“It is with great sadness that we report that our beloved Treat Williams has passed away tonight in Dorset, Vt. after a fatal motorcycle accident,” reads the statement. “As you can imagine, we are shocked and greatly bereaved at this time. Treat was full of love for his family, for his life and for his craft, and was truly at the top of his game in all of it. It is all so shocking right now, but please know that Treat was dearly and deeply loved and respected by his family and everyone who knew him. We are beyond devastated and ask that you respect our privacy as we deal with our grief. To all his fans, please know that Treat appreciated all of you and please continue to keep him in your hearts and prayers.”

Jacob Gribble, the fire chief for Dorset, Vermont, tells PEOPLE the crash happened on Monday around 5 p.m. on Route 30 by Long Trail Auto near Dorset, Vermont.

Per Gribble, the incident involved a single car and Williams’ motorcycle. Investigators believe the driver of the car was turning and didn’t see the motorcycle. Gribble says the motorcyclist was the only person hurt and a LifeNet helicopter was summoned to airlift him to a hospital in New York.

The Manchester Fire Department responded and set up the landing zone for the helicopter. Other emergency services that responded included East Dorset Fire and Rupert Fire.

The Vermont State Police also put out a press release later on Monday, confirming Williams’ identity and the details surrounding the crash. Police confirmed the investigation is in its early stages and team members will return to the location of the collision on Tuesday, June 13, to continue processing the scene.

At the age of 28, Williams received acclaim for his performance in “Hair,” Miloš Forman’s big screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. Williams earned a Golden Globe nomination in the now-defunct category new star of the year (actor). Two years later he was competing again, this time in best actor in a motion picture drama for his performance in Sidney Lumet’s “Prince of the City.”

Among Williams’ other notable film credits are his lead turn alongside Laura Dern in the coming-of-age romance “Smooth Talk,” which released in 1985 and earned Williams an Independent Spirit nomination for best male lead. He also starred in “Deep Rising,” the now cult ’90s aquatic creature feature that centered on Williams’ captain and his crew’s struggle to survive.

Williams landed his most notable role of this century with “Everwood,” starring as Dr. Andy Brown, a Manhattan neurosurgeon who relocates his family to rural Colorado after the death of his wife. Williams headlined The WB series across four seasons, earning a Screen Actors Guild award nomination for outstanding performance by a male actor in a drama series.

“He was killed this afternoon. He was making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off,” McPherson says. “I’m just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented.”