Gwyneth Paltrow Testifies in Ski Collision Trial: A Clash of Accounts

by Simon Naylor | Published: March 25th, 2023 |  Ski News

Gwyneth Paltrow, the award-winning actress, recently testified in a civil trial regarding a skiing collision that took place in 2016 at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah. The case involves Terry Sanderson, a 76-year-old retired optometrist who is suing Paltrow for more than $300,000 in damages, claiming that the actress recklessly crashed into him while skiing, causing lasting injuries and brain damage.

Paltrow has filed a countersuit seeking $1 in damages and attorneys' fees, maintaining that Sanderson was the one who crashed into her.

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During the trial, Paltrow testified about her experience on the day of the collision, describing how she “froze” when Sanderson allegedly skied directly into her back.

person in green jacket riding on red ski board on snow covered ground during daytime

She recalled feeling confused about the situation and initially thought the collision could have been a form of sexual assault due to the strange grunting noise and the sensation of a body pressing against her. Paltrow stated that she moved away quickly after both of them fell to the ground.

According to Sanderson's account, Paltrow crashed into him on a beginner's run, causing him severe injuries. He also accuses Paltrow and her ski instructor of skiing away without getting him medical care.

Paltrow, on the other hand, denies these allegations and claims that she stayed on the mountain long enough to ensure Sanderson was okay before continuing her ski trip. She further stated that she did not seek medical treatment after the crash but later went for a massage due to an overstretched knee and back pain.

man wearing purple jacket and helmet holding ski poles on snow covered field

Throughout the trial, Paltrow insisted that Sanderson was the one who skied into her, asserting that she did not cause the accident. In her testimony, she expressed sympathy for Sanderson and his difficult life but maintained that she could not be at fault since she did not cause the collision. The incident occurred on the first day of a family trip, during which Paltrow, her now-husband Brad Falchuk, and their children.

Paltrow's countersuit claims that she was skiing with her family when Sanderson, who was uphill from her, plowed into her back, causing a full "body blow." She expressed her anger at Sanderson, who then apologized. Paltrow felt shaken and upset after the incident and decided to quit skiing for the day.

The trial has captured significant media attention, with both parties presenting vastly different accounts of the events that unfolded on that fateful day in 2016. As the trial continues, it remains to be seen which version of the story will be deemed accurate by the jury. Paltrow's children, Apple and Moses, are expected to testify next week, adding another layer of complexity to the already dramatic proceedings.

In conclusion, the skiing collision trial involving Gwyneth Paltrow and Terry Sanderson has brought forth contrasting narratives of the incident, making it a challenging case for the jury to determine the truth. As the trial unfolds and more witnesses are called to testify, a clearer picture of the events surrounding the 2016 skiing collision may finally emerge.