Fort Worth Aviation Director Fired After Hit-And-Run Accident
If you find yourself in a minor fender bender, you should leave your contact and insurance information with the other driver involved. If there are injuries, you are required to render aid, if possible. In most cases, the law requires that you must remain at the scene if you are in an accident until you are told by law enforcement that you are free to go.
Getting into a hit-and-run accident and then leaving the scene can be extremely life-altering. According to a story appearing on the NBCDFW website, a Fort Worth city official is finding that out the hard way.
On September 9, it was announced that Fort Worth’s Aviation Director, William Welstead, had been fired from his post. A press release issued by Fort Worth City Manager, David Cooke, announced that Welstead had been relieved from his position because he had been involved in a hit-and-run accident involving a city vehicle. Later, it was found that Welstead had been hunting on airport property and that Welstead owned an aviation company, the NMH Group. He did not disclose this information, causing a conflict of interest.
Court documents revealed that on June 25, 20250, Welstead had gotten into a collision with another motorist. Assistant City Manager Fernando Costa wrote in Welstead’s termination letter that, according to the police report, he had been “dismissive when called back to the scene of the crash.”
Welstead failed to file a report with the city and directed city personnel to violate city procedures by making unauthorized repairs to the vehicle. Welstead also made unauthorized use of a city credit card to pay for the repairs. Officials say that there was separate damage caused to the vehicle that was also unreported.
It was during the investigation that the city learned of NMH Group was founded by Welstead in 2013. Google Maps shows the property is an empty field located at 4800 East Main Street and directly across from the Meacham Airport.
Investigations regarding Welsead’s violation of the city’s official and ethical policies are ongoing.
