Westlake Man Arrested and Charged in Fatal Halloween Hit-and-Run
A tragic incident occurred on Halloween day in Westlake, resulting in the death of 41-year-old Michael D. Welch. According to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Welch was struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle on Miller Avenue, near Smith Ferry Road.
Following a thorough investigation, authorities arrested 30-year-old Tylor B. Fontenot of Westlake, who has been charged with felony hit-and-run and obstruction of justice. Detectives determined that Fontenot’s vehicle was traveling north on Miller Avenue when it struck Welch from behind.
Further investigation revealed that Fontenot allegedly discarded a car hood in a dumpster behind a business in Sulphur and attempted to shave off the part numbers from the hood before disposing of it. Fontenot was taken into custody on Friday and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center.
He was released the following day on a $90,000 bond with special conditions, including the use of an ignition interlock device, an alcohol-detecting ankle bracelet, and random drug screenings.