safety
Fire chief expecting 3rd child fatally struck by car while directing traffic
By KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· June 29, 2026
· 2 min read
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, accord...
Key takeaway Bettie Busby, who worked the concession stand Saturday, says the rodeo brought in thousands of people.
Why this matters in The Midland
The tragic loss of Mabank Fire Chief Charlie Woodard while directing traffic after a crowded event like the Mabank Rodeo raises concerns about public safety in similar scenarios in Midland . As a community that frequently hosts large events, Midland must ensure that its own traffic management protocols are robust enough to prevent such incidents. The fact that Woodard was struck by a car despite being a trained professional highlights the need for extra caution when dealing with high volumes of traffic. In Midland, where events like the Midland County Fair and festivals draw large crowds, the city's public safety officials must review their procedures for managing traffic flow and ensuring the safety of personnel directing traffic. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who serve and protect the community, and Midland must take steps to mitigate such risks in its own public safety operations.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Midland stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? 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, accord...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter