Family says North Texas man was killed by car driven by his best friend
The man who was critically injured in a hit-and-run accident May 30 in west Fort Worth has died, according to his family.
Daniel Lester was a beloved brother and father, and his family is “shattered by grief” at the unexpected loss, his sister Presley Lester said in a GoFundMe.
Daniel Lester, 30, died June 1 in the intensive care unit at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office website. He was on life support following the accident, KDFW-TV reported, and his family chose to donate his organs.
Officers were called to the hit-and-run crash at the intersection of Clifford Street and Western Trade Drive shortly after 11 p.m. They found Lester, who had been been struck by a car.
Information from a witness helped officers find the suspect’s vehicle, police said. Thirty-six-year-old David Hall was arrested Saturday and faces a charge of collision involving serious bodily injury, according to court records.
Presley Lester told KDFW that Hall and her brother were best friends. Another friend who saw the accident told Daniel Lester’s family that a truck narrowly missed hitting Daniel’s car. Daniel got out of his car to confront the driver, and Hall was also at the scene.
The driver of the truck fled, KDFW reported. Hall started to give chase and hit Daniel Lester in the process.
Hall’s attorney, MarQuetta Clayton, was not immediately available for comment Wednesday afternoon. Police said they couldn’t confirm the relationship between Hall and Daniel Lester.
Hall was held in the Tarrant County Jail after his arrest but has since bonded out. Additional charges against him may be possible after Daniel Lester’s death.
Presley Lester said in a public Facebook post Monday that her family believes that Hall hit Daniel by accident, but he still needs to face consequences.
“While it is understandable that he was frightened and shaken, abandoning a ‘best friend’ in a life-threatening situation is inexcusable, regardless of the potential repercussions,” Presley Lester said in her post.
Daniel Lester leaves behind two young sons, according to the GoFundMe. His family is raising money to help with his funeral expenses.
