Celebrity entanglements with the law always catch the attention of the public. Johnny Depp’s defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard absolutely captivated social media for its drama and shock factor. Not long after that was resolved, another celebrity case made headlines, and its circumstances baffled the world. Suddenly everyone tried to stay updated on Gwyneth Paltrow’s Ski Crash Trial.
Now, archiving and outlining the details of the trail, Warner Bros. Discovery has a documentary on the incident coming to the UK. Variety reports that it’s a continuation of the Discovery+ series VS that documents pop culture trials like “Johnny vs Amber,” “Kim vs Kanye: The Divorce,” and now “Gwyneth vs Terry: The Ski Crash Trial.”
Gwyneth Paltrow, the renowned Hollywood and Marvel actress, made headlines in early 2016 when she was involved in a skiing accident at the Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah. On February 26, 2016, Paltrow was skiing on a beginner slope when she collided with Terry Sanderson, a retired optometrist.
Sanderson alleged that Paltrow, who was skiing downhill at high speed, negligently crashed into him from behind, causing him serious injuries, but Paltrow denied the allegations. She argued that it was Sanderson who had actually caused the collision by stopping in the middle of the slope without warning, leaving her unable to avoid the crash.
Witnesses, including ski patrollers, other skiers, and experts, testified about the incident and the circumstances surrounding it. After much deliberation, the jury ultimately sided with Paltrow, ruling that she was not at fault for the collision. They concluded that it was Sanderson’s sudden stop that caused the accident, holding him responsible for the injuries he sustained. Paltrow was acquitted of any charges brought against her.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Ski Crash Trial will drop later this year in a two-part documentary series. When watching it, listen for the two most incendiary quotes of the whole trial: Mr. Sanderson’s “You skiied into my effing back” and Gwyneth Paltrow’s exiting sentiment to him, “I wish you well.”
Paltrow sued him for a symbolic one dollar and won, much like Taylor Swift’s sexual assault trial.
Though not at the forefront of audiences’ minds, the trial brought attention to the issue of skiing safety and the responsibilities of skiers on the slopes. It also highlighted the challenges of determining fault and negligence in skiing accidents, where the nature of the sport often involves inherent risks and the potential for unforeseen collisions. Overall, Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski crash trial showcased the complexities of legal proceedings involving celebrity figures and the intricacies of determining liability in skiing accidents.