Fire chief expecting 3rd child fatally struck by car while directing traffic

MABANK, Texas (KLTV/Gray News) – A Texas fire chief and police officer whose wife is expecting their third child died after he was hit by a car while directing traffic.

Mabank Fire Chief Charlie Woodard was directing traffic Saturday night after the Mabank Rodeo when he was struck by a car, according to Juan Gutierrez, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety. He was rushed to the hospital but died of his injuries.

Woodard also served as the city’s fire marshal and as a police officer.

Bettie Busby, who worked the concession stand Saturday, says the rodeo brought in thousands of people.

“There was not even enough room for everybody to sit. It was so crowded,” she said.

When the rodeo was over, Busby and the others in the concession stand were told Woodard had been hit by a car.

“They just came and told us that Charlie Woodard had been hit by a vehicle and that he was doing bad. It knocked him out of his shoes it was so bad,” Busby said. “So, we circled up, and we prayed.”

She said she had known Woodard for years.

“Just the whole community loves him,” she said. “He has two kids, and his wife’s expecting in two weeks.”

Taylor Godwin said she knows Woodard’s wife through the school.

“He was a really big pillar in the community,” Godwin said. “He was just a really special person to a lot of people.”

According to Texas DPS, the driver involved in the incident was not injured.

The investigation is ongoing.