SANTA CLARITA, CA – A Los Angeles County Fire Department chief was charged with multiple misdemeanors on Wednesday, May 13, for a hit-and-run accident that occurred in late January 2020.
Ellsworth Fortman, 54, was driving his personal car in the Santa Clarita area when he crashed into a parked car on January 26. KTLA 5 reports that the parked vehicle moved 160 feet forward and was totaled in the accident. Fortman left the scene of the accident and did not respond to L.A County sheriffs who investigated the accident that night.
The morning after the crash, Fortman returned to the scene of the accident to talk with the owner of the car. He explained that he may have hit the car, and he provided his insurance information.
Officials are unsure what events led up to the accident, but they believe that Fortman was speeding at the time of the incident. Additional reports from Fortman’s girlfriend indicate that he may have been drinking at the time of the accident. Fortman denies these claims.
At this time, Fortman is facing charges of a hit-and-run accident that resulted in property damage and driving without a valid license. If he is convicted, Fortman may spend up to one year in jail.
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