Mabank Fire Chief Charles Woodard, who also served as the city’s fire marshal and a police officer, died after he was hit by a vehicle

MABANK, Texas — Mabank Fire Chief Charles Woodard died after he was struck by a vehicle while directing traffic following the Mabank Rodeo, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Officers and fire department personnel were directing traffic after the rodeo on June 27 when the crash occurred, KDFW reported.

| READ NEXT: Fireground fallacy: ‘Vacant’ buildings are rarely unoccupied

Woodard received immediate medical care at the scene and was taken by ambulance to UT Health in Gun Barrel City. He died a short time after arriving at the hospital.

The crash remains under investigation.

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

Investigators have not released details about what led to the crash or whether charges are expected. Authorities also have not identified any additional factors that may have contributed to the collision.

The firefighters worked for the U.S. Wildland Fire Service and U.S. Forest Service and were part of an interagency response to the Knowles and Gore fires

Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson and Sydney Watson were conducting initial attack operations on the Knowles Fire when rapidly spreading flames cut off their escape routes

June 29, 2026 12:18 PM

 · 

A day after three firefighters were killed in a burnover, hot, dry and windy conditions continued fueling dangerous wildfire growth across the West

An Alabama volunteer firefighter returned to finishing the mowing so the recovering resident and her family had one less thing to worry about

The National Fire Protection Association and Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition honored two advocates for their efforts to promote residential fire sprinklers and advance community fire safety