A Westlake man has been arrested in connection with a fatal hit-and-run incident that occurred on Halloween. Tylor B. Fontenot, 30, faces charges of felony hit-and-run and obstruction of justice following the death of 41-year-old Michael D. Welch, also of Westlake, Louisiana.
The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies responded to the 2600 block of Miller Avenue near Smith Ferry Road around 2 p.m. on Friday. There, they discovered Welch’s body in a ditch. Authorities determined that Welch had been riding a bicycle when he was struck from behind by a vehicle.
An investigation revealed that Fontenot was allegedly driving the car that hit Welch. Detectives found evidence linking Fontenot to the crime, including a car hood that he reportedly discarded in a dumpster behind a business in Sulphur. Investigators say Fontenot used a tool to remove part numbers from the hood before disposing of it, an act seen as an attempt to obstruct justice.
Fontenot was arrested on Friday and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center. He was released the following day after posting a $90,000 bond. His release comes with strict conditions, including the mandatory use of an ignition interlock device for driving, wearing an alcohol-detecting ankle monitor, undergoing random drug screenings, and refraining from any criminal activity. Fontenot is also prohibited from contacting known drug users or felons and cannot drive without a valid license.
Authorities believe Fontenot fled the scene immediately after striking Welch, leaving him fatally injured. Welch’s tragic death has shaken the local community, sparking calls for stricter enforcement of hit-and-run laws and greater accountability for reckless drivers.
The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation and has urged anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward. This case serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of reckless driving and the devastating consequences it can have on innocent lives.